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Our Features
Why we say no to balloons
01
Harm to environment and biodiversity
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As balloons deflate or pop, they form smaller pieces that contribute to litter and cannot be recycled.
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Over time, balloon particles continue to disintegrate into smaller microparticles and microplastics that contaminate the soil and air, and leach into water tables.
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Balloon fragments flow through drains into our rivers and oceans, polluting water bodies irreversibly.
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Balloon pieces that end up in the ocean are sometimes consumed by sea creatures when they mistake them for food, causing them to choke.
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Balloons that escape into the air with strings still attached can get entangled, endangering birds.
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Large balloon releases result in balloons floating thousands of miles away, meaning responsible cleanup is impossible and litter is formed elsewhere.
03
Civic problems
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Foil balloons touching power cables can cause explosions.
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Helium is a finite resource with critical medical uses, instead wasted on single-use balloons.
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Balloon fragments often add to nonrecoverable street litter and cause areas to be visibly dirty in the aftermath of events and celebrations.
02
Human health & safety concerns
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There have been many recorded cases of children choking on balloons - accidentally sucking them in while attempting to blow them up, or swallowing pieces of broken balloons. Being stretchy and slippery, balloons are very hard to remove from the throat, making them one of the leading causes of choking deaths from children’s toys.
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The balloon manufacturing process is harmful to workers, and is also an industry known for having child labour concerns.
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Large quantities of latex balloons can be dangerous to those with latex allergies, even causing anaphylactic shock.
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When hydrogen balloons come into contact with flames or heat from indoor lighting, they can combust causing serious accidents within the home.
Addressing concerns & counter-points
Aren’t balloons made of latex which is a natural rubber, making them biodegradable?
​During the balloon manufacturing process, chemicals and dyes are added to latex, so they are not purely organic. Studies have also tested and confirmed that balloons do not decompose. Further, balloons take up to 4 years to decompose, during which period the small pieces form litter, release microparticles into soil and water, and are choking hazards if consumed by animals & children.
Balloons are fun and we played with them as children; it’s unfair to deprive our children of them. Surely it’s not such a big deal?
There are many things that previous generations did which we have stopped once we realized how harmful they were, and there is no dearth of alternative decorations & games for children to play with instead. Additionally, when you keep in mind the horrible stories of young children choking on balloon fragments, children who are terrified by the sound of balloons bursting, and those who are allergic to latex, we’ve found that most people feel the appeal of balloons reduces.
Stopping/banning balloons is a bad solution, why don’t we push for manufacturers to make them out of degradable plastics instead?
​We propose phasing out balloons altogether because of the many reasons listed above as to how they are detrimental to human and environmental health. Biodegradable plastics have been found not to decompose entirely, instead only degrading to micro plastics. By encouraging the manufacture of new and different non-essential plastics, we are only contributing further to climate change as these are not sustainable, long-term solutions.
Instead, we propose many alternatives to balloons including decorations made of cloth and paper which can be reused and recycled.
I don’t use the disposable latex balloons, only the larger mylar/foil balloons that can be refilled and reused. Is that okay?
While any reusable product is preferable to a disposable, we still recommend avoiding foil balloons as well. This is because a) they are rarely actually refilled, and end up in the trash regardless, b) the helium used to fill them is a finite resource, with far more important medical uses, and c) if these balloons come into contact with electric wires, they have been known to burst and cause explosions.
Telling individuals to stop celebrating with balloons is not a sustainable solution - why don’t you address it at a manufacturing or policy level instead?
We believe that change starts at the individual level, and collectively we can also influence policy for more long-term changes. Our NoBalloonsPlease campaign has reached out to stakeholders at multiple levels - individuals, communities, corporations, and government - all of which you can find more information about here. If you would like to contribute to the policy level changes, please sign and share our petition to the government, check our community & corporate outreach guidelines, and reach out at beautifulbharat.org@gmail.com to share more of your ideas and solutions towards tackling this problem.
Why Say No to Balloons?
Balloons, though symbols of joy and festivity, cast a long shadow on our planet. Their remnants are often mistaken for food, posing a fatal risk to wildlife, birds, and marine creatures. The toll is even more, as fragments become a choking hazard for infants. By foregoing balloons, we protect innocent lives and also contribute to the health of our ecosystems.
Where Do We See Balloons?
Balloons are everywhere - birthday parties, weddings, inaugurations, milestones or state celebrations. In short, they are a prominent part of celebrations everywhere.
What To Use Instead?
We suggest earth-friendly alternative decorations made of cloth, paper, and flowers. These are reusable and can be recycled or composted once they can no longer be used. Our resources include ideas for DIY decorations,many upcycled cloth scraps or used paper.