Go Green!

Today more and more people are becoming educated in conservation. People are desiring to learn ways they can conserve and be environmentally friendly. Decorating with balloons is a great way to do this.

Balloons to the Max uses two types of balloons: Latex and Foil. Our foil balloons are only used a fraction of the time and are disposed of properly by our company and are NEVER released. We mainly use latex balloons produced by Qualatex. These balloons are latex and not rubber. These balloons come from rubber trees. Here are some environmental facts you may find interesting when planning your next "green" event.

1. Latex is collected by cutting the tree’s bark, then catching the latex in a cup. Latex harvesting doesn’t hurt the tree!

2. Latex balloons are Earth-friendly! Rubber trees grow in rain forests. Latex harvesting discourages deforestation because latex-producing trees are left intact. A tree can produce latex for up to 40 years!

3. We can decorate with air-filled balloons rather than helium filled, which limits the cost as well as the use of this natural material. However, if helium is your desired product please know that helium is constantly leaving the earth's surface and will either leave the atmosphere on its own or can be used for products such as in balloons prior to its release into the environment, so the use of helium is also environmentally friendly.

4. A latex balloon is made from 100 percent organic material and it’s 100 percent biodegradable. Stress caused by inflation starts this decomposition cycle. Exposure to sunlight accelerates the process — oxygen and ozone continue the molecular attack even in the dark. Deterioration is clearly evident within a few hours — it begins to oxidize or “frost” — and soon the balloon will break apart. Research has shown that under similar conditions latex decomposes as quickly as an oak leaf.

5. Rarely do released balloons return to the earth’s surface intact. Studies show these balloons usually rise to an altitude of about five miles. At that point, freezing and air pressure causes “brittle fracture” creating spaghetti-like pieces that scatter to the four winds.
While some balloons don’t reach this altitude, research indicates that in an average 500-balloon release, the unexploded balloon return density is no greater than one per 15 square miles.
Research shows that regardless of the latex balloon’s ultimate form when it lands, it will decompose, forming a natural soil nutrient at the same rate as that of an oak leaf.

So if you are interested in making your next event unforgettable and yet environmentally friendly decorate with balloons!

Statistics and information courtesy of Qualatex and the Balloon Council.