Why is green not always green? Balloons, litter and Europe

Usually not. In an Australian study, balloons with "biodegradable" on the packaging were still clearly recognisable as balloons after 16 weeks. Researchers placed latex balloons in fresh water, seawater and industrial compost. They kept their shape and size; in compost they lost 1 to 2 percent of their mass.^{1Journal of Hazardous Materials, Latex balloons do not degrade uniformly in freshwater, marine and composting environments, 2021} TNO estimates that latex in seawater needs two to five years to break down under natural conditions.^{2TNO, Verdiepend onderzoek ballonnen in het mariene milieu, 4 May 2016}

The reason lies in the production process. To turn latex into rubber, it is vulcanised with sulphur and other additives, and these slow down the breakdown. Work on this is well under way: researchers at Imperial College London developed a latex balloon without those additives,^{6Imperial College London, Imperial researchers create party balloon designed to disappear, 2026} which by their own estimate breaks down in about nine months.^{7Euronews, Balloons take years to decompose: UK researchers invent 'Bioloon' as nature-friendly alternative, 2026} A good step, although it has not yet been independently confirmed and the balloon will not reach the market until around 2028.

Because a balloon is used briefly and then often ends up in nature, where it is a risk to animals. According to a 2019 study, balloons are the litter with the highest risk for seabirds: a bird that swallows balloon remains is 32 times more likely to die than with hard plastic.^{3Scientific Reports, A quantitative analysis linking seabird mortality and marine debris ingestion, 2019} Ribbons and strings can also entangle animals.

The European directive on single-use plastics names balloons explicitly. Plastic balloon sticks have been banned for consumers since 3 July 2021, and balloon producers contribute to awareness campaigns and to cleaning up litter. The directive states explicitly that rubber and biodegradable plastic are also covered.^{4European Union, Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment} Being biodegradable therefore does not automatically make a balloon "not plastic".

In addition, since 27 September 2026 this applies throughout the EU: a vague claim such as "biodegradable" or "environmentally friendly" is only allowed with recognised proof.^{5European Union, Directive (EU) 2024/825 as regards empowering consumers for the green transition}

Decoration that you use again: then no single-use waste is created after the party. Every choice has its strengths. Latex balloons are affordable and can be shaped endlessly, and biodegradable versions keep getting better. But even the best biodegradable balloon is still single-use: after one party, it is waste. Reusable balloon decoration starts with a different question. Not: how do you make waste disappear faster? But: how do you prevent it?

Our balls are made of phthalate-free PVC and last for many events. Afterwards, you let them deflate through the valve and store them flat: 25 balls fit in a shoebox. If a part breaks, your partner replaces it within 48 hours.