What should I do about balloons?
Trust me, I know how much kids love balloons, but they are problematic because of how wily they are about getting into the environment, much like plastics. (Who hasn’t watched a tragic scene unfold where a helium balloon escapes from a tearful child?) I have noticed a lot of balloons being marketed with language about how they are eco-friendly because they are biodegrable, which is technically true if they are made from natural rubber, like 100% latex balloons. However, the truth is that it takes a very long time for them to degrade out in the environment, and in the meantime, they can do a lot of damage to wildlife that mistake the balloons for something tasty. I found estimates of six months to four years for a latex balloon to decompose, and it seems to take longer if the balloon finds its way into the ocean. Also, decidedly not biodegradable are the plastic ribbons that are usually tied to balloons, and these also can hurt wildlife.
On the other hand, if you can be sure that you won’t accidentally release any balloons, 100% latex is a renewable material, so that is easier on the environment in its production than other options, like foil mylar balloons, which are made of a kind of nylon. Mylar balloons are not biodegradable, also should not be released, and they are not typically recyclable. Technically, they can be reused, since they tend to last a bit longer than latex balloons, and you can carefully remove the helium from the balloon and store the mylar to use it again (an operation that I have not yet attempted myself).
The way I have negotiated this subject in my home is to limit to one balloon per birthday and make sure it is disposed of properly (Reduce). We go for one big mylar number to celebrate the age of the birthday child, and we supplement it with reusable balloon substitutes (I love tissue paper pom-poms). It’s not a perfect solution, but it represents the best family compromise we could achieve. I would love to hear more about how you navigate this particularly thorny issue!
