Balloons & the Environment

How is Latex made?

Latex is harvested by tapping the rubber tree (this doesn't harm the tree).  Each tree planted to harvest rubber consumes CO2, thus reducing global warming.  After the tree no longer produces latex, it is harvested and it's wood turned into lumber.  New trees are planted every year to ensure a continued supply of latex.

This video made on behalf of Qualatex shows how latex balloons are made.

Qualatex have produced a poster which you can print and display (or use online) to explain to your customers how latex balloons are a natural product and 100% biodegradable.  The rate of degradation of a latex balloon is highly variable and influenced by many variables such as temperature, light and the presence of latex consuming microbes.
 

Download poster

Balloons should never be released into the environment.

The Balloon Council is an organisation of retailers, distributors and manufacturers with the aim of educating consumers and regulators about the wonder of balloons and the proper handling of them.

Their website has loads of useful information to help inform consumers and industry professionals about smart use of balloons. 

Their mantra is:

"Don't let go: Inflate. Weight. Enjoy"

Foil balloons are not currently biodegradable or recyclable but they do have many uses to extend their lives for years to come and avoid them being sent to landfill.

This article by Pioneer Worldwide (Qualatex) has some brilliant suggestions on how to reuse your foil balloons, including the obvious one - reinflate them!
 

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A brilliant way to reuse foil balloons (especially if the foil balloon was damaged and couldn't be inflated) is to use them to cover a cake board.  This board is then used as a base for a new balloon design. 

This article from Sue Bowler's 'The Very Best Balloon Blog' shows how to do this and some creative ideas on using covered cake boards in your balloon designs.  There is also an instruction video below from Sue showing the technique. Read the article 'Tips and Tricks of the Trade - Part 2' (including cake board covering).
 

Read article