One Mum's Fight to Ban a Popular Party Goodie

Gold Coast mum on a mission to take the air out of a popular party item.

Carly Wilson, the creator of environmental documentary Rubber Jellyfish, said far too many Australians don’t realise the devastating impact helium balloons can have on our marine life.

The celebration of releasing balloons into the air has long bothered environmentalists, with Ms Wilson revealing that the pieces fall back to earth in the shape of jellyfish – something that can be deadly to seabirds and turtles that eat them.

The first-time filmmaker wants to see an end to the sky-high celebrations, describing industry claims that the latex balloons biodegrade as “baloney”.

“There are people in the balloon industry who are trying to stop the deliberate release of balloons but there are other balloon stores and manufacturers that still recommend people do those balloon release ceremonies,” Ms Wilson told Sunrise.

“It is important to do your research and understand that they do not biodegrade in the ocean.

“I’m eight months pregnant and I want my little girl to experience the beauty of the ocean I came to love,” Ms Wilson told Sunrise.

Do you support her campaign?

Share your comments below

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

18 Comments

- - mom81879 said
  - 26 May 2019
    3:15 pm
I do support her. It’s not just helium balloons that end up in the ocean. A lot if our rubbish isn’t disposed of properly and sadly finds it’s way to the ocean. You can buy bio degradable water balloons. I know because I watched them in my backyard disappear over time.

- - mom111059 said
  - 21 Nov 2018
    12:18 pm
Not great to release helium balloons outside.

- - mom290396 said
  - 19 Nov 2018
    2:03 pm
I’ve never used helium balloons as I hate that they can blow away, and it’s not just sea life that suffers from the left over rubber. The regular balloons aren’t as much fun, nor do they look as good but kids r happy with anything really

- - cherz said
  - 16 Nov 2018
    5:08 pm
Actually seen this on TV and she showed just how they deteriorate and end up looking like jellyfish …really scary.

- - Krusty said
  - 16 Nov 2018
    7:41 am
Why do we assume every balloon released ends up in the sea?Cheer’s Krusty.

- - nealsq said
  - 14 Nov 2018
    8:21 pm
we make sure all of our balloons end up in the garbage and not released into the open air, sadly not all people care
- mom93821 replied
  
  15 Nov 2018 , 6:58 am
  We do the same thing – no helium and no releasing balloons and disposed of when rarely used.
- - MuthaNita said
  - 14 Nov 2018
    9:53 am
She definitely has a point. Unfortunately I don’t think much will change until a biodegradable version is created and sold by mainstream providers.

- - taynik46 said
  - 14 Nov 2018
    9:16 am
What ever it takes to have a hot coffee and an uninterrupted shower is perfect – well done mumma for trying something different and enjoying your “me” time

- - mom93821 said
  - 14 Nov 2018
    7:30 am
We need to look after our precious environment for generations to come.

- - Ellen said
  - 14 Nov 2018
    4:06 am
That’s a good campaign.
My kids love helium balloons every now and then, but we release them in our home, not in the open air.

- - mom101628 said
  - 13 Nov 2018
    8:50 pm
Never thought releasing balloons was a good idea in the first place. Also don’t think much of the plumes of smoke from fireworks in the atmosphere.

- - mom81879 said
  - 13 Nov 2018
    6:18 pm
I’m happy to stop using them for the benefit of the environment. I never released them anyway, they deflated and I threw them in the bin. Not the best but still better then releases them

- - Cookfromscratchmum said
  - 13 Nov 2018
    4:26 pm
They are bad for the environment but kids love them it’s a hard one

- - mom74005 said
  - 13 Nov 2018
    3:57 pm
Yes of course balloons are bad for the environment they are latex after all and cannot be recycled.

- - mom90758 said
  - 13 Nov 2018
    3:11 pm
They are beautiful to see, but I wonder too about their environmental impact.

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 13 Nov 2018
    2:58 pm
I always wondered what happened to those balloons that just flies away!

- - becstalou said
  - 13 Nov 2018
    2:13 pm
I don’t think we need to release them and I personally don’t.