Environmentalists around the world are sounding the alarm - balloons and sky “Chinese” lanterns have become a real environmental disaster. A huge number of balloons around the world are launched into the sky every day.
Why is this dangerous and what will it lead to?
1.5% of all trash entering the world's oceans is latex, which is what balloons are made from. It can be natural or synthetic, but both take quite a long time to decompose, releasing harmful substances into the soil. Synthetic latex does not completely decompose, and the microplastic contained in the paint poisons the water and ultimately enters our bodies. Foil balloons do not decompose at all, and the strings that tie to the balloons are made of polypropylene, which takes more than 500 years to decompose.
Balloons and paper lanterns cause short circuits and fires by wrapping around wires and power lines.
The helium that fills balloons is a non-renewable natural resource that is used by many important industries, such as medicine.
The now very popular glowing balls with battery-powered diodes pose a huge danger. If they are not disposed of, they turn into toxic waste of hazard class II.
Balloons cause the death of one in five seabirds in the world, doomed to a painful death after ingesting a balloon. Fish and other marine life get entangled in them and are eaten by animals.
“Chinese” lanterns lead to forest fires and become a common cause of fires in residential buildings, and their sharp metal frame decomposes over decades, becoming dangerous for both animals and people.
This leads to plane crashes. There have been cases when a single canopy caused a plane to crash, getting stuck in the turbine. Many flights are rescheduled every year when lanterns fly near the airport.
What are the alternatives?
Bubble.
You can rent a bubble machine, hire animators, buy various eco-friendly solutions and devices, which can then be recycled or reused.
Ground paper lanterns and reusable lanterns.
These lanterns contain tea candles inside, and the paper and metal base can then be recycled. Reusable lamps can be powered by electricity, conventional or solar batteries.
Plant a tree/flowers.
An excellent eco-friendly alternative to launching balloons into the sky is to plant plants. It doesn’t matter whether it’s one tree, seedlings for each participant, or planting flowers in pots, which you can then take with you as a souvenir.
You can also write a letter to the future and bury it under a planted tree. This symbolism is perfect for weddings and birthdays.
Lanterns or candles.
Fabric/paper garlands and paper honeycomb balloons.
Reusable paper designs.
Alternative confetti made from flower petals, dry autumn leaves and eco-paper that dissolves in water.
If you can't do without balls, minimize the damage.
Use natural latex balloons made from Hevea brasiliensis juice (sold on specialized websites). They decompose within a couple of years and do not emit poison. It is better to take a natural rope for the ball, for example from jute, flax, cotton or hemp.
And most importantly, don’t launch balloons into the sky! Dispose of them after the event.
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