Most of these balloons are those falsely marketed by the balloon industry as “biodegradable latex.” All photos were taken by Balloons Blow on Hutchinson Island, Florida, USA – unless otherwise noted. All photos with citations may be used for education purposes.
Balloons Blow Gallery 8
Balloon Trash
Zandvoort zonder Zwerfvuil – Netherlands
Balloon & Ribbon
Hutchinson Island, FL
Old Balloon
Hutchinson Island, FL (2013)
Nibbled Balloon
Hutchinson Island, FL (2013)
Latex Balloon
Burst into perfect “jellyfish” - bad for birds and ocean life.
Celebration High School
Celebration High School – Celebration, Florida, balloon, found 140 miles northeast of Hutchinson Island, FL
Krispy Kreme
Hutchinson Island, FL
Latex Balloon
Hutchinson Island, FL (2013)
Latex Balloon
Latex balloon and ribbon caught in the dunes.
Balloons in Stream
Photo: M. West, Tuross Head, New South Wales, Australia
Balloon Litter
Hutchinson Island, FL (2013)
Latex Balloons
Mess of latex balloons & ribbon tangled in the sargassum.
Nibbled Balloon
Hutchinson Island, FL (2013)
Latex Balloon
Hutchinson Island, FL (2013)
Latex Balloon
Hutchinson Island, FL (2012)
Balloon Shred
Hutchinson Island, FL (2012)
Latex Balloon
The balloon industry promotes releases with latex balloons and cotton strings as “environmentally-friendly.” This balloon was found with the sargassum, which offers protection to many juvenile species at sea, including sea turtle hatchlings.
Latex Balloon
Piece of latex balloon near a crab’s hole.
Latex Balloon
Is this a jellyfish? The endangered sea turtles favorite food? Or a deadly balloon..?
Latex Balloon
Looking like a jellyfish. Ironically washing ashore atop a marked sea turtle nest.
Balloon Litter
Latex balloon & ribbon tangled in black mangrove pneumatophores. Long Key State Park, Florida Keys.
Latex Balloons
Latex balloons tied together.
Mylar Balloon
Mylar balloon in the protected sea oats.
Mylar Balloon
Mylar balloon buried in the dune.