Worth the Weight: Balloons Should Not Be Released

The Balloon Council says balloons should not be released. Americans love balloons, but for many reasons no longer support balloon releases. Balloon makers have worked hard to share and inspire the use of Smart Balloon Practices to keep balloons available for every occasion.

We stand with communities by encouraging that balloons be weighted, not released outdoors, and disposed of properly when broken or deflated. Whether it's a single balloon or hundreds, let's keep them from flying away.

Smart Balloon Tips

Please secure me with a weight

Please don't let me fly into the air and become litter - I don't want to get trapped in a tree or power lines.

Young children with balloons should always be monitored. Children under eight years of age can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons.

If I'm deflated or popped, properly discard me.

Despite the funny voice helium can give you, it should never be inhaled

Little-Known Facts

Qualatex latex balloons are made from 100% natural latex, not plastic. Our latex balloons are biodegradable, and decompose as fast as an oak leaf in your backyard.

Latex balloons come from the rubber trees. Latex is collected by cutting the tree's bark, then catching the latex in a cup. Latex harvesting doesn't hurt the tree.

Rubber trees grow in the rain forests. Latex harvesting discourages deforestation because latex producing trees are left intact. A tree can produce latex for up to 40 years.

Balloons were invented in 1824, the same year as the electromagnet.