Balloon Releases FAQ

I bet most of you didn't realise that there is actually legislation in place to ensure the protection of  the environment in relation to balloon releases. Here's some of the facts. You may be surprised.


What happens to balloons that are released into the air?
95% of latex balloons that are released into the air rise to 28 000 feet, where the altitude and temperature cause the balloon to expand and shatter into tiny pieces, about the size of a 10-20 cent coin. These pieces fall to the ground over a large area, where they bio-degrade. The remaining 5% drift with wind currents for 8-14 hours before coming down, where they also decompose.

How fast will balloons biodegrade?
Latex balloons are made from 100% natural substance and will biodegrade at about the same rate as an oak leaf, given identical conditions. Balloons should not be confused with plastic. Latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree, a completely natural substance that breaks down in both sunlight and water. A helium balloon that has shattered at altitude will biodegrade much faster than a whole balloon in landfill.
Foil balloons are not biodegradable and can conduct electricity if they come into contact with overhead power lines. For this reason, foil balloons should be attached to a weight and never released.
  

What is the Environmental Impact of Manufacturing Balloons?
The demand for latex from the balloon industry actually ensures the survival of the rubber tree, and provides economic incentive for the planting of more trees, and in preventing deforestation. Harvesting latex can be more profitable to poor third word communities than raising cattle on the deforested land. 
 

Can I Release Helium Balloons in NSW?
In NSW it is an offence to release 20 or more helium filled balloons at one time. It is also an offence for us to sell helium balloons to a customer with the knowledge that they will be used for release, therefore we endeavour to educate our clients on these laws. 

Is there an Exception?
There are some exceptions to this law which include: 
*Unintentional release.
*If the balloons are released indoors and do not make their way into open air.
*The balloons are being used in scientific purposes.


Can I Release Balloons at a Funeral?
Yes, you can. However, you must not release more than 20 helium balloons. If you must have ribbon attached, it can only be crepe streamer or raffia (paper based) so it will degrade and dissolve. No plastic clips or attachments can be used on the balloons. We don't encourage balloon releases of any size, but it is still possible if you follow the above guidelines for doing so legally. Another option is to release less than 20 balloons and give the additional balloons to the children for them to take home, instead of releasing the full amount of balloons ie 20+


What is the best way to dispose of my balloons when I've finished? 
The best thing to do is pin it, and bin in. Once your event is over, we recommend bursting the left over balloons and throwing them away responsibly. This way, there is no chance that any left over balloons will escape into the air or get tangled in power lines, and there will be no balloon related litter to destroy the environment. You can even dispose of your balloons in your compost!

What are is your company doing to help?
The Party's Here works closely with the balloon industry both in Australia and internationally, to promote education and awareness to ensure that our balloons are handled safely and responsibly by consumers, as well as disposed of properly. We are NSW members of the Balloon Artists and Suppliers Association (BASA) who support the use of environmentally friendly biodegradable latex balloons. BASA and its' members are also working with local and state councils to educate them on balloons and the environment.

For more information please see the following websites:
http://www.balloonartists.com.au/environment.html
http://www.balloonartists.com.au/documents/bio.pdf
http://www.balloonhq.com/BalloonCouncil/facts.html
http://www.qualatex.com/pages/facts_fun.php


So now that you know the our balloons are 100% environmentally friendly, why not place your order today!? Give us a call, browse our website or pop into the store to check out all our balloon decorating options.

6 Padstow Pde, Padstow NSW
Ph: 02 9792 5403
Fx: 02 9792 5281

 

Email: info@thepartyshere.net.au 
Web: www.thepartyshere.com.au 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePartysHere

The Myth about Balloons as Litter

Further to our last post regarding Balloons & the Environment, I have attached some information provided by BASA (Balloon Artists & Suppliers Association) to its' members this month, which applies directly to us here in Australia, rather than the international studies we always read about. 

A big thank you goes out to Bill Gray & Maureen Egan for providing us with this information, it has been a huge eye opener & we hope that it helps to educate those who are unsure or disapproving of balloons. 

Below are the summarized results from reports by Clean Up Australia and Keep Australia Beautiful. 

Clean Up Australia:

This organisation has produced a Rubbish Report each year since 1991, which is a snapshot of waste collected on Clean Up Australia Day. The Rubbish Report has proven to be an invaluable resource in identifying trends in the types and spread of rubbish throughout Australia. 

In 2011 Report , there were 7,479 registered sites. 2,639 or 35% were analysed 

Top Ten Rubbish Items were, 1) cigarette butts 2) glass bottles (alcohol and soft drink) 3) plastic drink bottles PET drink bottles 4) aluminium cans ( alcohol and soft drink) 5) plastic bags 6) plastic chip and confectionary bags 7) plastic bottle tops 8) metal bottle tops 9) small paper pieces 10) metal foil confectionary wrappers. No Balloons ! 

Beach/ coastal sites had the most rubbish items (a staggering 35,988items) of all sites surveyed with an average of 205 items per site surveyed. Rivers and creeks moved from fifth in 2010 to second most polluted site type with over 90 average items at each site surveyed. Beach coastal sites ranked highest for miscellaneous items , glass and plastic items 48%,19% and 17% as a percentage of each site types rubbish composition. Note rubber has its own category, and at beaches/coastal total rubber was 1% 

Rubber, in 2011 rubber was the smallest category of waste at just over 1% which was consistent with 2010 results. The most common significant rubber item found was rubber gloves, which account for 46% of all rubber followed by thongs 25% and tyres 22%...............Balloons not even listed! (Miscellaneous items include cigarette butts (92%), clothing, food scraps, ceramics, car parts and batteries)............No Balloons!"

Keep Australia Beautiful 

KAB produce a report each year called the National Litter Index. It is funded by every Australian State or Territory Government. The 2010/ 2011 Report was compiled by McGregor Tan Research in South Australia and is a 177 page in depth analytical report on litter 

Summary: The filthy five are Cigarette butts, plastic, paper/cardboard, metal and glass..No Rubber. 

 The results here are expressed two ways:- items per 1000m2 and by volume per 1000m2 Total sites surveyed were 983 Nationally, including Beach, Car Park, Highway, Industrial, Recreational Park, Residential, Retail and Shopping Centre. Total area surveyed 1,499,791 sq mtrs 

The Facts: The major categories are further divided into items which are very extensive in detail. 

The only reference to Rubber appears in Miscellaneous.....Rubber pieces (not tyres) averaged is listed as 0.0001 litres per 1,000sq metres. Miscellaneous includes items such as syringes, ice cream sticks, condoms, disposable nappies, clothing and materials, tyres and pieces........No Balloons category!

Balloons: Facts about the Environment

Balloons were invented in 1824 and have been used to celebrate events worldwide, from political conventions and store grand openings to birthday parties and get well gifts. Balloons are the most cost effective and efficient way to decorate any space. Before we can help you do so, we’d like to take this opportunity to tell you some facts and fiction about balloons. 

Our latex balloons are made from rubber trees and are 100% biodegradable, decomposing at about the same rate as an oak leaf.  We work closely with the balloon industry both in Australia and internationally, to promote education and awareness to ensure that our balloons are handled safely and responsibly by consumers, as well as disposed of properly. 

One of the main concerns is the inhalation of the balloon gas, helium. Helium is non-toxic and non-flammable. It has become socially acceptable to inhale helium as a party trick to change your voice. This is a dangerous practice and must be discouraged at all times as it can lead to suffocation or even death. 

There are practices and guidelines put into place in order to preserve the environment. Foil and latex balloons are weighted down to prevent accidental release.  In NSW, there is legislation to restrict balloon releases. No more than 20 balloons can be released and these must be free of any plastic attachments or ribbon. Mass balloon releases that occur internationally are only conducted by professional balloon decorators, and therefore adhere to the industry standards. 

Compared to other categories of litter, such as plastic items, cans and bottles, balloon litter is extremely minimal.  To date, there is no direct scientific evidence to prove that balloons have been the cause of death to any sea animals. However, as an industry we are continuing consumer education and balloon management practices in order to maintain the results of this research. 

We hope that you value this information and use it to educate others and handle balloons properly. If you would like to read more about this, please visit the following websites:

http://www.qualatex.com/pages/facts_fun.php

http://www.balloonhq.com/BalloonCouncil/facts.html