Plastic and latex balloons: how they pollute

Degradation times are very long. And birds, fish, and turtles eat the residues. Where are they prohibited?

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balloons

Colorful balloons , a delight for generations of children, unfortunately aren't environmentally neutral. They also pollute , both because of plastic and latex, the two most commonly used materials for this type of product.

The negative effects are valid for both, even if the pollution methods are different:

  • Latex balloons They're made from natural, biodegradable rubber, but the degradation process can take years. When a latex balloon drifts into the environment and isn't collected, it can end up in rivers, seas, or forests. In natural environments, latex degrades more slowly than one might expect, and can still cause harm to wildlife. Animals, such as birds or sea turtles, can ingest balloons or become entangled in their strings.
  • The plastic balloons They are decidedly more problematic for the environment. The materials are not biodegradable, and their degradation times are biblical. This is especially true in the sea, where the quantity of microplastics is outnumbering the number of fish, and turtles mistake plastic balloons for jellyfish, ingesting poison that can even kill them. Furthermore, plastic balloons filled with helium are among the long causes of increased greenhouse gas emissions.

For these reasons, there are several areas of the country, regions, and municipalities, where plastic balloons are banned. In Campania, for example, this restriction has been in place since 2019 (in Benevento, anyone using them risks a fine of up to €500), as well as in the autonomous province of Trento and several small towns. For example, in Maruggio, in the province of Taranto, a mayoral ordinance bans plastic balloons to protect the famous Campomarino turtles. Bans are also widespread in medium-sized cities in Lombardy, such as Brescia and Monza.

Abroad, however, a balloon ban (i.e., the prohibition on the use of balloons during any celebration) is in place throughout the state of California, Provincetown, Rhode Island, and Nantucket. The same applies in Great Britain and Canada, where colored balloons are prohibited nationwide.

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