Environmental Policy

Balloons and The Environment

 

Balloons are the ultimate party decoration! They are as integral to a party as confetti and flowers are to a wedding. But when the party is over how should we dispose of our balloons responsibly?

There has been some debate and confusion over how to best dispose of balloons, and as to their environmental impact. How to responsibly dispose of your used balloons depends on what they are made of:

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Latex Balloons

• Our Latex Balloons are made from 100% biodegradable latex

• Decomposition time for a latex balloon is roughly the same time as that of an oak leaf estimated 6 months but depends on environmental factors.

• Latex is a natural product tapped from the rubber tree – 'Hevea Brasiliensis', a completely natural product. its the sap which is a white liquid. Harvested similar way to Maple Syrup.

• Each rubber tree can be tapped up to 30 years before it reaches its natural cycle. The process is gentle and does not damage the growth of the rubber tree, there is no risk of deforestation involved in this process.

• Organic pigments are added to the latex to make hundreds of colours.

• We source only the highest quality latex balloons ensuring they are not mixed with fillers or added substitutes, some lower quality balloons are mixed with plastics.

• For more information regarding latex balloons please see PEBA | Latex Balloons

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Don't Let Go!

We love balloons but we love the environment more! Celebrate by Lisa does not support balloon releases and we urge our customers 'Don't let go'. When Balloons are released into the air they will fall into our environment and simply become 'litter'. Although they will eventually decompose, until that time they will litter our beaches and countryside, they will be not only visually offensive but may also cause harm to wildlife and marine life.

• Latex Balloons will completely decompose over time

• Please 'Don't Let Go'' of your balloons for them to litter the environment

• Please cut up your latex balloons into smaller pieces and dispose of them in your household waste where they will decompose in landfill.

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Foil Balloons - Mylar (Metallic/Plastic) Balloons

Mylar balloons are made with a plastic/nylon, synthetic material that is recyclable but it does not biodegrade. They will stay in landfill forever, so ensure to recycle them along with your recyclable plastics.

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Re-use before you recycle!

The best alternative to recycling Mylar Balloons is simply to save them to be re-inflated on another occasion. Mylar balloons are fragile so be gentle, insert a straw at least 6-10 inches in length into the hole where it was originally inflated, then press out the remaining helium in order to store the balloons flat ready to re-inflate when you next need them!

• Mylar Balloons are not Biodegradable

• Mylar Balloons are recyclable and can be disposed of with your recyclable plastics

• Please flatten, store and re-use your Mylar Balloons when possible.

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Celebrate by Lisa offers a return-to-recycle programme for foil balloons.

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We are part of a foil balloon recycling scheme where you return your foil balloons back to us and we will dispose via TerraCycle.  The foil balloons and plastic packaging is processed into plastic pellets within the specialist plants which can be then be made into new products.

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Pop your foil balloons and plastic packaging into an envelope, post back to us and we do the rest for you!

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Our address:

Return-to-Recycle, Celebrate by Lisa, F102 Upper Pendrill Court, Ermine Street North, Papworth Everard, Cambridge, CB23 3UY.

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Bubble Balloons

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Our Bubble Balloons are made from a stretchy, durable plastic which makes them perfect for sending a balloon in the post.  Made from Polypropylene which is a natural product of polyolefin resins which is easily recyclable and degradable. 

 

In the process of making Polypropylene there a fewer natural resources used to produced and generate fewer waste products in production using hydrocarbon sources compared to say PVC which easily sits in landfills for hundreds of years and when burnt produces toxic gases. Polypropylene does not have this affect!

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Helium

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Helium is a colourless, odourless, inert, non-toxic gas and is used to make balloons lighter than air….or float. But is it bad for the environment? The answer is no.

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When released into the atmosphere, helium, the second most abundant element in the universe, has no adverse effect on the environment and, in fact, escapes into space. While there are periodic supply chain delivery challenges, new sources of helium are continually being discovered in countries around the globe such as Canada, Qatar, USA and Russia

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Helium is more complex than most people realize – and it’s not just for party balloons.

 

Helium has many different uses, from:

• Cooling MRI machines

• Manufacturing semiconductor chips

• Finding leaks in ships

•  In breathing mixtures for divers

• And many others

 

Most global helium use, over 85%, is for things other than balloon inflation. (An 18” balloon needs only 0.1 ounce of gas.) Different purity grades of helium are required for many of these different applications. Designated in the “lifting” category of helium use, balloons do not need the more expensive, higher grade helium purity that medical, scientific or technology applications require. Therefore, helium qualified for medical need is likely never used in balloons.

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Balloons used grade 4 the lowest purity on the market as where medical grade helium is in its highest grade 6. difference between the grades is although they are both sourced and in the same way the balloon gas is unrefined and contains  2% of other elements making it unsuitable for medical or scientific purposes.

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Celebrate by Lisa is a proud member of the Pro Environment Balloon Alliance. PEBA’s  members do not support or condone, nor will they facilitate the deliberate release of balloons. http://www.peba.com.au. Members of PEBA are committed to educating their clients, venue managers and the general public, by all possible means, in the responsible use and disposal of balloons. PIN IT & BIN IT!

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