Say “NO!” to balloon releases and don’t let go of a balloon, without a weight holding it down. Balloons that are released into the air do not just disappear, they either get caught on something such as tree branches or electric pylons, or they go very high then burst and make their way back down to the Earth where they can create a lot of problems.

When balloons return to the ground, the best we can hope for is that they become nothing more than unsightly litter. However, testing has shown that decomposition can take anywhere from six months to four years — giving it plenty of time to cause harm in the environment.

Balloons that are not properly disposed of can end up in the ocean and along the beaches, and if animals mistake the deflated balloons for food, this can lead to loss of nutrition, internal injury, starvation, and death.

Sea turtles are particularly vulnerable, as balloons are easily confused for their jellyfish prey. Once ingested, balloons can cause stomach or intestinal blockages, eventually leading to starvation. The balloon ribbons can also cause havoc in the environment if not disposed of properly, and can wrap around marine life causing injury, illness, and suffocation.