Bursting the Bubble: Rethinking the Environmental Journey of Balloons in India’s Party Scene

Balloons and events are inseperable! It's like balloons saying, "Birthday party hai, me naach raha hoon. Mundan hai, me naach raha hoon." like Akshay Kumar who's at every event! Versatile, affordable, and effortlessly eye-catching, they are the go-to for birthdays, weddings, corporate dos, and even massive festivals. From pastel bunches to glittering arches, balloons have taken over India’s celebrations — but there’s more to their story than meets the eye. The Indian party décor supply market, valued at around USD 630.77 million in 2024, is on track to more than double to USD 1,413.74 million by 2033, growing at a lively 9.37% CAGR. With rising disposable incomes, a thriving middle class, and post-pandemic enthusiasm bringing back grand gatherings, the demand for party supplies is booming. 

From simple latex and foil balloons to elaborate, custom-designed installations, these colourful spheres are used everywhere — by families decorating birthdays at home to professional planners setting up grand weddings and festivals. They add instant vibrancy and joy to any venue, but their sheer volume of use leaves behind an enormous environmental footprint. With millions of balloons released or discarded every year, that glittering spectacle comes at a cost, contributing to pollution across land, water, and air.

Shifting Trends: Event Planners and Sustainable Brands Lead the Change

Amid growing awareness of the ecological damage caused by balloons, event planners and sustainable gifting brands across India are beginning to pivot towards greener alternatives. From replacing balloon arches with paper pom-poms, cloth buntings, and floral garlands, to creating elegant themes with reusable décor, the industry is slowly but steadily embracing sustainability. Many boutique event companies now market themselves as eco-conscious planners, while craft-based businesses offer compostable and reusable décor kits that blend beauty with responsibility.

This gradual shift is not only reshaping consumer expectations but could also redefine the future of the party décor industry. As sustainability becomes a key differentiator in the market, those choosing to phase out balloons are setting a precedent for mindful celebration. With innovation and creativity leading the way, India’s next wave of event design may well prove that it’s possible to party responsibly—without costing the planet its breath. 

The Dark Side of Balloon Fun

But is this enough? After the party ends, those bright latex or shiny Mylar pieces don’t simply vanish; they drift with the wind, settle in waterways, and linger in ecosystems for years. And while many people assume latex balloons are “biodegradable,” the reality is far less cheerful. Latex is often mixed with chemical additives such as ammonia, thiuram, and zinc oxide, which significantly slow down decomposition. As a result, those once-elastic balloons can stick around for up to four years on land — and far longer in colder, oxygen-poor aquatic environments.

Mylar balloons, made of polyethene terephthalate coated in aluminium, never truly degrade. Over time, they fragment into microplastics that infiltrate soils and rivers, eventually ending up in oceans where turtles and seabirds mistake them for jellyfish or other prey. In India, instances of wildlife deaths due to ingested balloon fragments are documented from entangled turtles failing to swim to shore to birds whose nests are littered with colourful debris. Even stray cows have been found choked by balloon remnants, and hospitals now avoid latex balloons due to severe allergy risks. Balloon fragments can tangle in power lines, triggering electrical faults and outages.

As these colourful spheres float away in the sky, they carry untold toxins and hazards, ammonia, heavy metals and phthalates, into our environment, eventually ending up in food chains and, ultimately, on our plates. What seems like a simple, innocent decoration thus becomes a pervasive environmental threat. Recognising balloons’ hidden afterlife is the first step towards choosing safer, greener alternatives.

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A post shared by Beautiful Bharat / community volunteer group (@beautifulbharatorg)

Across India, concerned individuals are urging us to rethink those colourful, floating decorations. In Bengaluru, Odette Katrak, a co-founder of the volunteer group Beautiful Bharat, started the #NoBalloonsPlease campaign to show how even supposedly “biodegradable” latex balloons can harm wildlife. They point out that birds and turtles often mistake balloon fragments for food or become tangled in stray ribbons, leading to injuries or death. Beautiful Bharat volunteers visit schools and housing societies, encouraging families to swap balloons for paper pom-poms, fabric buntings or floral garlands. They also team up with local waste collectors to organise clean-up drives after big celebrations when balloon pieces litter parks and lakeshores.

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A post shared by Rashmi Ramesh | Yoga Teacher & Youtuber (@therashmiramesh)

On a popular podcast, sustainability advocate Sonika Bhasin reminded listeners that once balloons burst or drift away, they don’t simply vanish. Latex balloons may take years to break down, while Mylar (foil) balloons never biodegrade and instead break into microplastics. Sonika highlights that burnt balloons release toxic chemicals—some of which end up in soil or water and can poison stray cows, dogs or even pets and children who might accidentally swallow fragments. Her message resonates in both cities and rural areas, where stray animals often scavenge balloon litter near homes and farms.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai, activist Vidya Nadiger launched a petition in early 2025 urging the government to ban balloons and plastic flags during national events like Republic Day. Her goal is to prevent balloon remnants from drifting into rivers, where fish and turtles swallow them, and to protect the limited helium supplies needed for medical equipment like MRI machines. By calling on the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Prime Minister’s Office, Vidya hopes policymakers will promote truly compostable decorations instead.

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A post shared by Kirsten Andersen (@kirstenandersen_9)

Odette Katrak has been particularly vocal about the human cost of balloon production. She explains how workers, sometimes including minors, inhale dangerous fumes during balloon manufacturing without proper safety gear. Odette’s team conducts DIY workshops teaching families to create vibrant, reusable décor from sustainable materials like tissue paper and cotton. Their simple tutorials show how to fold origami pinwheels or string paper tassels—decorations that can be stored and reused, rather than discarded after one event.

Another volunteer, Adhya V. Marulappar, produces easy-to-follow videos explaining how balloon factories can harm workers and how balloon fragments linger in soil and waterways as microplastics. Adhya’s social media posts share stories from local waste collectors who regularly scoop up balloon remnants from streets and drains. She stresses that even small village celebrations can lead to widespread litter when balloons are released en masse during festivals or weddings.

Embrace Greener Celebrations

While balloons might feel festive, their afterlife reveals a trail of harm. By listening to activists and understanding the true cost of those floating orbs, we can choose eco friendly decor—paper pom-poms, cotton bunting or floral garlands—that brings joy without the environmental toll. Next time you plan a celebration, swap latex and Mylar for reusable, biodegradable alternatives that keep our skies and seas clean. Ready to ditch balloons for good? Explore plant-based décor and be a hero for wildlife—because celebrations should uplift, not endanger our planet.