3 reasons why you should never release a balloon into the sky

This celebratory tradition is hurting animals and oceans. - by Laura Barry

Releasing balloons into the sky has long been a celebratory tradition practiced by people across the world to honour momentous occasions or the lives of loved ones. However, these few moment of joy are destroying the lives of animals, compromising the environment and contributing to the tonnes of plastic waste damaging our planet.

When a balloon is released into the sky, it eventually reached a point in the earth’s atmosphere that applies so much pressure to the balloon that is explodes and falls back down to earth. Sadly, these balloons explode into pieces that, when in the ocean, look like squid or octopus and are then eaten by marine animals. And if the rubber and latex remnants of balloons aren’t eaten, they wash up on the shore, further damaging the environment. Here are three reasons why you should never release balloons into the sky

1. A biodegradable balloon is not good for the environment

According to Balloons Blow, even though balloons may be labelled ‘biodegradable’ these balloons are the most common type of balloon found in the stomachs of dead animals. Meanwhile, regular balloons kill hundreds of animals every year.

2. Balloons (and micro-plastics) can kill sea turtles

A recent study by the University of Queensland found that one in three sea turtles have eaten marine plastic. In November 2015 a flat back sea turtle was found stranded on a beach in Manly and the tiny turtle was in a severely debilitated state after ingesting a balloon.

Balloons use up our limited supply of helium

Although helium is used to make balloons float, it is also used in the defence industry, medicine, manufacturing, scientific research and energy generation. Unfortunately, helium is a non-renewable resource and is made via nuclear decay of uranium, then recovered fro mines, releasing helium-filled balloons is not only bad for the environment, but it depletes an already limited supply of a gas that is used in much more important industries.

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Want to know more about the devastating effects a balloon can have on the environment? Watch the video below.

Laura Barry

Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.