Are latex balloons really environmentally friendly

There are two distinctly different types of balloons which are sold in the UK today - latex and foil. 

Collection of sap from a rubber tree

Latex balloons are produced from the sap of the rubber tree. This is collected by using an environmentally safe, age-old process similar to that used for collecting the sap from maple trees for maple syrup. This is process does not harm the tree in any way and dedicated forests are planted because of the demand for the rubber. The forests are grown purely for this purpose and are a very valuable and well-protected natural resources. These trees play an equally valuable ecological role in the earth's fragile ecological balance by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which works towards preventing global warming.

A latex balloon is made from 100% organic material and is 100% biodegradable. Left to the elements a latex balloon will start to naturally biodegrade. If you want to use it at a later date then protect it from the air in a plastic bag and keep out of the daylight. Protected in this way a latex balloon will last months or even years.


When you inflate a balloon the stress from this will start it's decomposition cycle. Exposure to sunlight will accelerate the process and oxygen and ozone will then continue this molecular breakdown even in the dark. Deterioration is clearly obvious within a few hours as it begins to oxidise (goes cloudy or dull - this is especially noticeable on a clear or dark balloon) and soon the balloon will start to break apart. Research has shown that under similar conditions latex will decompose as quickly as an oak leaf.


The Green Balloon Campaign has been set up by BAPIA, a balloon trade association, and they will send one of their campaign members to your school to deliver a short (45 minute) interactive presentation to the children to show where latex comes from and explain how the rubber trees benefit the environment and that latex balloons are 100% natural and biodegradeable. If this is of interest then go to their website for their contact details.

The other type is a foil balloon and is often referred to, especially in the USA, as mylar. This is actually incorrect as they are made from a metallised nylon (plastic) and are NOT biodegradable. These are much more expensive than latex balloons and should NEVER be used in balloon releases.