We organise and takes part in hundreds of litter picks and beach cleans every year and 9 out of 10 times we find one or more balloons littering our environment.

They pose a huge potential danger to wildlife and we know this because we’ve found evidence ourselves on more than one occasion. In an ideal world it might be suggested that all balloons are banned but we don’t live in an ideal world. Here at Rubbish Walks we’re more interested in being realistic and effective rather than idealistic and 100% perfect.

That’s why we’ve joined forces with the record breaking Dr Zigs to help spread the #BigBalloonPledge for FAMILIES and ORGANISATIONS across the planet.

Balloons are made either of latex or mylar, sometimes coated with aluminium – and often have a coating of chemicals to help them from not sticking together.

Biodegradable balloons also can take years to decompose as the latex is mixed with a preservative. In February 2021, the Journal of Hazardous Materials published research that found latex balloons behave like plastic in the environment. After 16 weeks in compost, freshwater or saltwater, no meaningful degradation was found, and the researchers concluded that in all three environments, balloons would continue to threaten wildlife if ingested.

When balloons burst they look like Jellyfish! And therefore eaten by turtles – in fact of all the plastics found in sea turtles digestive tracts balloons are BY FAR the biggest amount.

Do watch Carly Wilson’s Rubber Jellyfish Movie. As she says:

The film explores the surprising damage that helium balloons are causing to endangered marine wildlife and unravels the balloon industry greenwashing that has lead consumers to believe that latex balloons are 100% biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

And this – according to the US Consumer Protection Agency, “of all children’s products, balloons are the leading cause of suffocation death”.

Ten Little Pieces –Ten Little Pieces is raising awareness of and advocating solutions to plastic pollution to promote clean oceans through sustainability education, community activism & corporate environmental impact consultancy.

Surfrider Foundation – Surfrider Foundation Australia is a registered not for profit sea-roots organisation dedicated to the protection of Australia’s waves and beaches through conservation, activism, research and education.

Balloons Blow – Balloons Blow provides information to educate people about the destructive effects released balloons have on animals, people, and the environment, and strives to inspire and promote an eco-conscious lifestyle.