Do you think releasing balloons into the air is littering?
By jipsyjo30
@jipsyjo30 (42)
United States
August 15, 2018 9:13pm CST
Nothing gets my ire up more than seeing another story on the news of people releasing large numbers of balloons into the air for another memorial or celebration. To me, it's the same as releasing plastic bags into the sky. There's really no difference. It's inconsequentially ignorant because what goes up always comes down as trash once the helium is exhausted. It's an eye sore when washed up on beaches and what's worse is the harm, suffering, and death it can bring to wildlife. There really should be more awareness raised about this outdated practice, especially in this day and age of becoming more sustainable and environmentally conscious.
14 people like this
16 responses
@moirai (2853)
• Philippines
16 Aug 18
You're right.
I'm sure I've accidentally let go of a few balloons when I was a kid. I just look after them sadly because... well, I wanted to keep them. 
But I never thought about where they'd end up in.
Of course, nowadays, people are (supposedly) more environmentally aware, and should refrain from such activities. There are other ways to celebrate.
But I never thought about where they'd end up in.
Of course, nowadays, people are (supposedly) more environmentally aware, and should refrain from such activities. There are other ways to celebrate.1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
16 Aug 18
I couldn't agree with you more @jipsyjo30 . I don't think people have a clue about the consequences and since nobody has thought about doing a segment on the news about it, people will still never understand. I guess people think the balloons keep going til they hit Mars or something.
1 person likes this
@stapllotik (1933)
• India
16 Aug 18
It depends on where you are and what kind of balloon you release. Latex balloons are made of rubber, which is to say an organic tree sap. They decompose, and release nutrients into the soil, you can even add them to compost.
1 person likes this
@May2k8 (18359)
• Indonesia
16 Aug 18
Gas balloons released into the air will fly as high as possible until the maximum limit until finally they erupt and fall again to the ground, or more extreme, to the sea. Automatically, the balloon that flies into the sky will return to the land or sea again, and become garbage that contaminates the earth for years.
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
16 Aug 18
I think that practice should be banned everywhere. Balloons are not biodegradable. 
1 person likes this
@Friendlypink (3805)
•
16 Aug 18
Yes. Because ones it out of air it will fall to the ground or worst to some parts which has water that can be easily contam,inated.
