Fairytale Moments Events loves balloons! We think they are great for every occasion and love to create all types of decor for our fabulous clients.  However, Fairytale Moments Events believes in making socially and environmentally responsible choices.  We are committed to making every effort to minimize the negative environmental impact of balloons by educating ourselves and our clients in responsible use and disposal.  As part of this effort, we abide by the "Don't let go" policy and will not provide balloons or services for balloon releases or drops outdoors.  We will continue to create balloon drops for indoor spaces where we can ensure that all debris are disposed of properly. Helium balloons must be secured to prevent them from flying away. Helium balloons (and the strings) can travel long distances, pose a threat to power lines, will become litter, and can endanger animals.  Air-filled designs should also be anchored appropriately. The balloons we use are 100% biodegradable and break down at the same rate as an oak leaf. Fairytale Moments Events reuses and recycles any plastics and paper products as much as possible in our daily operations. We want everyone to enjoy the beauty of balloons responsibly so we can provide balloons for years to come! 

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Did You Know?
Balloons are not made of plastic, they are made of latex. Latex is a stretchy material made from rubber which is extracted from the sap of rubber trees. Latex is sustainably harvested by tapping the rubber tree in a manner that does not harm the tree.  Each of the billions of trees consumes CO2 and help reduce global warming.  When latex is processed, each part of the product is used.  When a tree no longer produces latex, it is harvested and its wood is turned into lumber.  Latex balloons are also 100% biodegradable. They decompose at about the same rate as an oak leaf and recent biodegradability tests have confirmed that natural rubber balloons biodegrade to approximately 90% within 2 years, under test conditions.

 

Latex balloons are very versatile. They are available in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. They can be inflated with both air or helium. Helium is lighter than air, therefore balloons filled with helium will float temporarily. Helium balloons should never be released into the environment.  Air-filled balloons will not float, however, we create a wide variety of balloon decor with air-filled balloons. 

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How to care for balloons:

Balloons can be surprisingly durable when cared for well due to their sensitive nature.  Air-filled designs can sometimes last weeks and months when cared for following these tips. Keep balloons away from heat, direct sunlight, pointy or rough areas, and irregular surfaces. Temperature fluctuations, natural elements, animals and even static can all pop balloons. Air and helium expand in the heat and contract in the cold.  Hot temperatures can cause balloons to pop as the air/gas expands.  In cold temperatures, the balloons can appear to deflate, but once back into warmer temperatures will reinflate.  Wet balloons can droop, once dry, the balloons will flat again.  Child and Pet Precautions: Balloons are not a toy. Uninflated or burst balloons and any decorative content can present a choking hazard. Keep balloons and strings away from young children and pets to avoid injury or entanglement.  Latex balloons are made of natural rubber latex and may cause allergies. If an allergic reaction presents itself, seek immediate help.  Inhaling helium can be dangerous and it is not recommended.  Balloons exposed to heat/sunshine can become cloudy or take on a velvety matte finish.  
 

How to properly dispose of balloons:

NEVER release balloons.  Fairytale Moments Events does not advocate or support balloon releases.  Use of a weight is strongly encouraged.  

Re-use and Recycle! Latex and foil balloons can be reused in a variety of ways. Foil balloons are not biodegradable, once you are done reusing them, recycle them along with your recyclable plastics! 

Remove all air/gas from the balloons. Cutting the balloons and strings into small pieces helps reduce the risk of animals ingesting or becoming tangled in any of the debris.  Place all the pieces into a bag that can be sealed.  Always ensure to dispose of debris in a trash container. Please dispose of Latex Balloons in your household waste where they will decompose in a landfill.

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Ideas to reuse foil/mylar balloons:

Re-inflate them!  Valved foil balloons can be inflated over and over again, given their seals remain intact and they don’t develop any holes. Just insert a long drinking straw carefully to reinflate.  You can also deflate them using the same method. 

Birthday balloons are the perfect way to wrap a birthday gift or use as tissue paper in gift boxes or bags.

A balloon is a wonderful memory of a momentous occasion. Include pieces of it in a scrapbook or shadowbox.

Want something more practical? Use an iron to fuse foil balloons together and create a blanket to keep in your car for emergencies or for a festive tablecloth.

Partially inflate old foil balloons to take up space in boxes rather than purchasing packing peanuts or other wasteful materials.

Arts and crafts: Use them for rainy day crafts or donate them to a local school for art projects. 

Cut into strips and use as tinsel on your Christmas tree.

Cut the balloons into squares and use them to make "tissue paper" flowers for a unique bouquet reminder of the day.

Much like the tissue paper flowers, turn old foil balloons into pom poms.

Lastly, we will gladly take your latex and/or foil balloons and weights. We can recylce in a variety of ways.