![]() ![]() Here's how we can return to good habitsīecause balloons are frequently reported to be at sea, ingested by wild animals and washed up on beaches, it’s clear they’re not breaking down in only six weeks. That study was not peer-reviewed, its methods are unclear and not repeatable, and the results are based on only six balloons.Īvoiding single-use plastic was becoming normal, until coronavirus. While some factions of the balloon industry denounce balloon releases, these claims are only recent.įor decades, the industry relied on one industry-funded study from 1989 which claimed that after six short weeks, balloons degraded “at about the same rate as oak tree leaves” and there was no way balloons were a threat to wildlife. Balloon releases are common, with only some regional regulations in place, such as in New South Wales and the Sunshine Coast. Unsplash, CC BYĪnd yet, despite substantial evidence of harm and the presence of these chemicals, balloon littering persists. So, the balloons can’t be “100% natural rubber latex”.īalloons can travel vast distances in the sky before they pop and are eaten by animals. ![]() These chemicals include antioxidants and anti-fogging (to counteract that cloudy look balloons can get), plasticisers (to make it more flexible), preservatives (to enable the balloon to sit in warehouses and store shelves for months), flame retardants, fragrance and, of course, dyes and pigments.Įven more chemicals have to be used to make the additives “stick” to the latex and to stick to each other, enabling them to work in tandem to create a product we expect to use for about 24 hours. ![]() Second, what most consumers don’t realise, is that to shape milky natural rubber latex sap into the product we know as a balloon, many additional chemicals need to be added to the latex. How to get abandoned, lost and discarded 'ghost' fishing gear out of the ocean The stretchiness of balloons means they can get stuck in animals’ digestive tracts, which will cause choking, blockage, decreased nutrient absorption and effectively starve the animal. When they pop, they float back to the earth’s surface and land in, for example, the ocean or the desert, and wash up on beaches where animals can eat them, from sea turtles and seabirds to desert tortoises. A tree can produce latex for up to 40 years.Not much changed after 14 weeks. Latex harvesting discourages deforestation because latex-producing trees are left intact. Rubber latex balloons are made from Natural Rubber Latex (NRL), which is collected from the Hevea Brasiliensis Pará rubber trees that are grown in certain areas of the tropics and is fully sustainable. We are an international non-profit organization working to build strong forests, healthy agricultural landscapes, and thriving communities through creative, pragmatic collaboration. The Rainforest Alliance is a growing network of farmers, foresters, communities, scientists, governments, environmentalists, and businesses dedicated to conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods. ![]() Pioneer Balloon Company is committed to responsible sourcing, all latex balloons are made from rubber trees located in plantations that are part of the Rainforest Alliance Certified™. Qualatex latex balloons are available in a rainbow of colors and styles, printed designs for every occasion, as well as a broad range of sizes and shapes. Research shows latex balloons breakdown faster than plastics when exposed to specific conditions, including the amount of UV exposure, the amount of oxygen present, the temperature and biological influence (bacteria, fungus and algae). The Rainforest Alliance are an international, non-profit organisation working to build strong forests, healthy agricultural landscapes, thriving communities and fight climate change. Our latex is sourced from sustainable Rainforest Alliance Certified and Forest Stewardship Council plantations. Latex is a natural product of the Rubber Tree Per Cambium and breaks down and decays when exposed to the elements of nature. They are a plant based product made from natural rubber harvested from rubber tree plantations which are a renewable resource. Balloons are biodegradable and photodegradable. All latex balloons made by Pioneer and its subsidiaries are made of 100% natural latex. Durango Balloon Company is a Proud Supplier and Advocate of Qualatex Balloons manufactured by Pioneer Balloon Company. ![]()
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