Balloons

[ViaRia]

Hello
I’m organising a small celebration and would like to hang party decorations. My first instinct was to steer clear of balloons and helium because they are ‘obviously environmentally problematic’.

But… I’m finding it difficult to find an alternative that would be recyclable/ reusable. The person in the party shop said that latex balloons are biodegradable (taking 6 months, around the same time as an oak leaf); foil balloons can be reused if carefully deflated; you can make great displays using air instead of helium.

I’m just wondering what your thoughts are. If you try to make ethical choices, do you avoid balloons? If so, given the points above, what specifically do you object to?

I’m now thinking I’ll go with balloons but I wanted to ask others first, to find out if/what I’m missing.

Paper pom poms? You can make yourself or buy, they're reusable and could probably be recycled.

I would avoid balloons. The less we use them the more environmentally friendly alternatives will (eventually) become available.

bright paper

I did have loads of links but this blasted site….when I went onto another tab to copy I kept coming back to my post being deleted so just posting the above for an idea. Bright, colourful and paper.

Thanks for your replies. Very quick too!
I know what other options are out there. But what I mean is why avoid balloons?

What specifically is the issue, given that they biodegrade within 6 months?

I bet they don’t biodegrade. Vegware (recyclable food containers) is meant to be a better option than plastic but it has to be recycled in a very particular way so mostly still ends up in landfill.

we have to move away from single use items as much as possible. So yes, Pom poms or reusable banners are good suggestions.

they biodegrade within 6 months

they won’t biodegrade at all if they are put in a rubbish bin and sent off to landfill. There isn’t enough oxygen in landfill for anything to biodegrade. Are you going to bury them in your garden or put in your compost bin?

@Idhatetolookintothoseeyes
Are you going to bury them in your garden or put in your compost bin?

is that a genuine question? I was planning to put them in the general rubbish I suppose, unless I found a preferably alternative way to dispose of them.

Yes genuine question.
They won’t biodegrade in the general waste in landfill so why make a thing about them biodegrading in 6 months if you don’t plan to make the effort to ensure they do?

fabric bunting
Paperchains
Crepe paper decorations
Paper lanterns

We need to move away from balloons as the be all and end all decoration.

Artificial flower petal confetti can be good, sprinkled around, as it can be gathered up and reused.

This really is frustrating and a little bit upsetting to be honest.

I’m not asking for alternatives to balloons nor whether or not you think I should buy balloons. I’m asking for clarification on why balloons are bad for the environment.

@Idhatetolookintothoseeyes It seems you know more about this than me, and that’s great. That’s why I’ve come here, hoping to get a better understanding. I’m not making a big thing about them being biodegradable, I’m just asking a question. Your response about landfill not being conducive to biodegradation makes sense and, yes, that does answer my question. I’m not sure why you have been so condescending to me in your replies though. I understand you may feel strongly about this topic but I just think that alienating people who are trying to learn how to make better choices is counterproductive. Perhaps next time I won’t ask.

You are getting different answers to those you expected because you based your questions on the fact that the shop assistant was correct whereas the vast majority of evidence available shows that balloons don't biodegrade, certainly not within 6 months as part of normal waste management.

www.google.com/amp/s/theconversation.com/amp/we-composted-biodegradable-balloons-heres-what-we-found-after-16-weeks-138731

People are politely suggesting alternatives to balloons. Not sure what is upsetting about that?

I’m now thinking I’ll go with balloons but I wanted to ask others first, to find out if/what I’m missing this sounds like you want suggestions for alternatives that you're missing.

Organic natural latex is biodegradable in the right conditions. Inside a bin bag in landfill, no it will not biodegrade.

This, from your OP, is why I suggested alternatives-

"I’m finding it difficult to find an alternative that would be recyclable/ reusable."

@ViaRia I wasn’t intending to be condescending, sorry. Just giving information that many people aren’t aware of, I’m not sure how I could have written it differently but I’m not NT so that may be why?

@ViaRia I wasn’t intending to be condescending, sorry. Just giving information that you ( & many other people) aren’t aware of, I’m not sure how I could have written it differently but I’m not NT so that may be why?

@ViaRia I wasn’t intending to be condescending, sorry. Just giving information that you ( & many other people) aren’t aware of, I’m not sure how I could have written it differently but I’m not NT so that may be why?

oops! It kept saying server down and crashing but obviously posted 😂
this blasted site!

Off the top off my head I'd imagine that it's not very good for wildlife like birds if it's sitting in landfill and not biodegrading.

I'm fine with normal rubber/latex balloons you blow up yourself, but try to avoid helium balloons because:

1. Helium is a limited and precious resource


2. The balloons are large and made of plastic & foil


3. There's a fairly high chance they'll blow away and then they're a bit of an environmental nightmare