We’ve all heard the saying “what goes up must come down” but have you ever considered what happens to balloons after you release them into the sky at a celebration? Environmentalists are working hard to raise awareness in the Great Lakes, and all across the globe, about the hazardous consequences balloons are causing when they return to the ground. According to surveys conducted at trash pickup events sponsored by the nonprofit Alliance for the Great Lakes, there were more than 18,000 balloons, balloon pieces or balloon strings along Great Lakes shorelines between 2016 and last year.
The Environmental Nature Center reports that even though latex balloons are considered biodegradable it can take anywhere from 6 months to 4 years to completely decompose, and in that time they can cause a lot of damage to our Earth, water, and wildlife. The Environmental Nature Center recommends celebrating with more environmentally friendly alternatives like blowing bubbles, kites, garden spinners, or donations. For more information about the damage balloons are doing, and how you can help, follow this link; https://encenter.org/visit-us/programs/birthday-parties/balloons/
