Environment

Eye on the Environment: When freed balloon lands, it's plastic...

by Barbara Mathieson | January 26, 2009 at 06:06 am

304 views | 2 Recommendations | 8 comments

By Michelle Velderrain
Guest writer
Sunday, January 25, 2009

Clowns — the sight brings joy to some and fear to others. One thing that comes to mind when I think of clowns is balloons. These seemingly innocent objects that can bring joy to all are actually a major contributor to pollution, along with other plastics.

When you release a balloon into the air, where does it go? The balloon might enter habitats that are downwind or downstream, affecting fish, birds, turtles or other creatures. These creatures can become entangled or ingest the litter, resulting in strangulation or starvation.

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Coley8107

at 17:00 on January 26th, 2009

This is my cousin Mia watching watching balloons

Coley8107 has contributed a photo to this story.

Cassi (not verified)

at 17:11 on January 26th, 2009

That's my balloonhead! :)

theemuwholovedme

at 18:37 on January 26th, 2009

"bed and balloon" from "The Birthday Party: November 29th, 2008" The models are Jiyun Kim and Alex Ryba.

"Red girl holding balloon, looking at painting of girl holding balloons" also from ""The Birthday Party: November 29th, 2008."Hadley Stacks is my model for this photo. The painting in the background is a painting I made recently: "Balloons in the Electric Field." The painting is a representation of a photograph that my friend, Sasha Parker, took of herself.

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smoness

at 20:59 on January 26th, 2009

Anytime someone gives me a balloon for my birthday, I write the date and who it's from somewhere on the balloon and store it flattened with all the others for keepsakes. No environmental danger from this household. :)

~Lindsey w/ the Pooh balloon

zackss

at 21:10 on January 26th, 2009

A wall art in a street in the Galata district of Istanbul...

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deadandbreathing

at 21:54 on January 26th, 2009

once a kid again

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ferdi aquino

at 22:51 on January 26th, 2009

It was a walk from our house when I saw these balloons, they were caught up in a tree. First i took several pictures then I went up the tree and let them go. A little girl might be crying for loosing beautiful balloons.

ferdi aquino has contributed a photo to this story.