Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Better Life

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

This celebratory tradition is hurting animals and oceans. - by Laura Barry
  • 26 Aug 2019
3 reasons why you should never release a balloon into the sky

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.

You might also like:

Fake Christmas trees are actually bad for the environment 

5 reasons why you should be buying eco-friendly toilet paper

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

Laura Barry
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.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

2 in 5 Australians don’t care about going green

2 in 5 Australians don’t care about going green

Tasmanian government plans to ban barbecue smoke

Tasmanian government plans to ban barbecue smoke

Supermarkets set to make millions on plastic bag ban

Supermarkets set to make millions on plastic bag ban

6 easy ways to reduce your plastic use today

6 easy ways to reduce your plastic use today

{headline}

{headline}

How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu

How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu

This is the $5 Ikea product that keeps cut fruit and veg fresh for weeks

This is the $5 Ikea product that keeps cut fruit and veg fresh for weeks

Professional cleaner reveals grout cleaning hack

Professional cleaner reveals grout cleaning hack

{headline}

{headline}

Hot cross bun zuccotto

Hot cross bun zuccotto

We’ve found the strongest umbrella in the world

We’ve found the strongest umbrella in the world

Your old Pokémon cards are now worth hundreds of dollars

Your old Pokémon cards are now worth hundreds of dollars

16 of the best Christmas crackers in Australia

16 of the best Christmas crackers in Australia

Get a real-life mini Christmas tree delivered to your door

Get a real-life mini Christmas tree delivered to your door

What is the correct date to put up your Christmas tree?

What is the correct date to put up your Christmas tree?

Adairs teams up with Indigenous artist Brad Turner for a new collection

Adairs teams up with Indigenous artist Brad Turner for a new collection

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription