Gallery
Foil balloon arch, Harvard University, Cambridge
Green, white and blue organic balloon arch for a conference at westin
Huge street balloon arch
Blue, silver and white organic balloon garland
Light blue and silver organic balloon garland
Gold and rose gold organic balloon garland
Balloon mosaic wall, Boston Park Plaza Hotel
2024 balloon wall, The Ritz-Carlton, Boston
American themed red, white and blue balloon columns for restaurant opening
Donut themed pink, purple, blue and golden balloon column with balloon sprinkles
Basketball themed balloon centerpieces
White and gold balloon centerpieces
It depends on the balloon and on what happens to it after the event. Natural latex balloons are made from the sap of rubber trees and are biodegradable. Foil balloons are not. The biggest environmental problem is not balloons as such but balloon releases: balloons let go into the sky end up in the ocean, in trees and in wildlife. Professionally installed balloon decor stays indoors or in place, is taken down after the event and goes to the trash, not into nature.
Latex vs Foil Balloons
Latex balloons are made from natural rubber, a plant material collected from rubber trees. Latex is biodegradable, though it breaks down slowly, so it still belongs in the trash after the event, not on the ground.
Foil balloons are made from metallized plastic film. They are reusable for a while and keep their shape for a long time, but they are not biodegradable. Foil is used mostly for numbers, letters and special shapes.
Most professional balloon decor, arches, garlands, walls and columns, is built mainly from latex, with foil only where a number, a letter or a special shape is needed.
Why Balloon Releases Are the Real Problem
When balloons are released into the sky, nobody controls where they land. In coastal cities like Boston, many of them end up in the water. Animals can mistake balloon pieces for food or get tangled in ribbons. Several places in the United States restrict or ban intentional balloon releases for this reason.
At WOW! Balloons we never release balloons into the sky, and we do not recommend releases for any event.
What Happens to Balloon Decor After the Event
Professional installations do not leave the room on their own. After the event the decor is taken down, either by our crew or by the venue, and the balloons go to the trash. At many family parties guests pop the balloons at the end, which is part of the fun and makes cleanup easier.
How to Make Balloon Decor More Sustainable
Latex vs Foil Balloons
Latex balloons are made from natural rubber, a plant material collected from rubber trees. Latex is biodegradable, though it breaks down slowly, so it still belongs in the trash after the event, not on the ground.
Foil balloons are made from metallized plastic film. They are reusable for a while and keep their shape for a long time, but they are not biodegradable. Foil is used mostly for numbers, letters and special shapes.
Most professional balloon decor, arches, garlands, walls and columns, is built mainly from latex, with foil only where a number, a letter or a special shape is needed.
Why Balloon Releases Are the Real Problem
When balloons are released into the sky, nobody controls where they land. In coastal cities like Boston, many of them end up in the water. Animals can mistake balloon pieces for food or get tangled in ribbons. Several places in the United States restrict or ban intentional balloon releases for this reason.
At WOW! Balloons we never release balloons into the sky, and we do not recommend releases for any event.
What Happens to Balloon Decor After the Event
Professional installations do not leave the room on their own. After the event the decor is taken down, either by our crew or by the venue, and the balloons go to the trash. At many family parties guests pop the balloons at the end, which is part of the fun and makes cleanup easier.
How to Make Balloon Decor More Sustainable
- Choose one strong piece instead of many small ones. One arch or one photo wall in the right place often has more impact and uses fewer balloons than decorations spread around the room.
- Prefer latex over foil where you can, and use foil only for numbers, letters and special shapes.
- Use air-filled decor. Professional installations are filled with air, not helium, which is a limited resource.
- Never release balloons. Plan the teardown instead.
- Combine balloons with reusable elements: stands, frames, flowers, fabric and lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Natural latex comes from the sap of rubber trees and is biodegradable, though it breaks down slowly, so used balloons should still go to the trash.
Foil balloons are made from metallized plastic film and are not biodegradable. They can be reused for a while, but after that they go to the trash.
Yes. Released balloons land wherever the wind takes them, often in the ocean or in trees, and animals can swallow the pieces or get tangled in ribbons. We never release balloons.
Air-filled decor lasts longer indoors, about a week in an air conditioned room, and does not use helium, which is a limited resource.
They are taken down, by our crew or by the venue, and go to the trash, not into nature.
Send us your date and venue, and we will suggest a design that makes the most of every balloon.
