The issue with balloons

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We should avoid using balloons in all circumstances and instead look to environmentally friendly alternatives where possible.

Balloons are a major threat to the environment, especially marine life such as seabirds and turtles. These creatures can ingest balloon debris believing it to be a food source, and can also become entangled in balloon attachments. Clean Up Australia strongly opposes the release of helium and other balloons. We support federal banning of helium balloons on a national scale to protect our native species and the environment.

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THE PROBLEM

An Australian study has shown that after 16 weeks in freshwater, saltwater, and industrial compost conditions, latex balloons did not degrade, despite manufacturers assuring the public that balloons are ‘100% biodegradable’.

Meanwhile, another Australian research paper highlighted that balloons and balloon fragments in oceans are 32 times more likely to kill seabirds when ingested than hard plastic waste. Indeed, of all marine debris, balloons are the highest-risk debris item for wildlife mortality.

These studies highlight how balloons are a ‘silent menace’ to the environment and wildlife – alongside other forms of marine debris and plastic waste.

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What you can do

Balloon waste is avoidable pollution. There are numerous alternatives we can all use instead of balloons, no matter whether we want to celebrate, commemorate or promote:

  • For a family member’s birthday party or other significant event, use a bubble machine, paper pom poms, colourful flags, banners, pin wheels, streamers, or fly kites.
  • For a memorial service, plant a native tree, donate seeds to a community garden, light candles or other luminaries, make a donation to Clean Up Australia in your loved one’s memory, donate a park bench or equipment, or play a favourite song or tune.
  • For advertising or a product launch, use a dancing inflatable figure, flags, streamers or bunting  – which can all be re-used.
Lobby Local, State or Federal Governments

At present, environmental protection laws in each State and Territory regarding the release of balloons is fragmented. Victoria announced a clear policy in 2021 making the release of helium balloons illegal and a serious finable offence. In New South Wales, it is illegal to release 20 or more inflatable balloons at one time (and any balloons released should not have any attachments). In ACT the same applies. However, in both states up to 19 balloons can still be released, despite potential environmental harm.

As described by the Australia Wildlife Society, from 1 January 2022, regulations to ban balloon releases in Western Australia came into effect. In Queensland, the deliberate or accidental release of balloons is considered littering and as of 2023 the release of helium lighter-than-air balloons is banned. The Northern Territory has planned balloon bans to be implemented by the end of 2025.  In Tasmania, the release of balloons is considered littering under the Litter Act 2007, and releasing balloons will attract hefty fines. In South Australia, the release of balloons is also considered littering, however there is no enforcement.

Local governments across Australia are increasingly taking the lead with balloon release and littering. In each State and Territory, many local government associations have either banned the use of balloons on council-owned property, or banned their use/release in their jurisdictions.

You should enquire with your local council on their position with balloons, and if they do not have an effective policy, you can lobby them to ban balloon releases.

Join a Group

You can also join or support a community-based action group who aims to reduce balloon and other plastic-based waste, such as:

Access resources
  • You can share fact sheets and initiatives with friends or family, such as the Zoos Victoria’s excellent resource ‘When balloons fly, seabirds die’.
  • The Australian documentary Rubber Jellyfish further highlights ‘an unlikely ocean predator’ and the negative impacts that helium balloons have on the natural environment.
  • The Australian Marine Debris Initiative has an excellent balloon release action guide.

More Actions You Can Take

Let’s bin balloons

Check out some of our favourite balloon alternatives for kids.

Learn more