Mylar and Me

I am lucky to live by a National Forest where I can take my daily walk.  It is the same daily walk every mornings and I do not vary it, so I am always surprised by how many balloons I find on my walk.  The  colorful latex balloons are usually in pieces with bright curly ribbons and then, there are  the mylar balloons.

I am most disturbed by the mylar balloons.  I thought I would look up how long it takes for the mylar to degrade but found that it just does not.

What I hadn't thought about is what these balloons do if they come in contact with electrical wires.
In 2007 So. Cal. Edison reports that they experienced 470 blackouts caused by mylar balloon releases.
It is estimated that in California the loss in business and utilities ads up to more than $120 million per year due to mylar balloons.

More important than the inconvenience and financial cost is the cost in lives of marine animals and birds.
There have been several whales found to have died as the result of mylar balloons in their systems.  Turtles are fond of the colored plastic in latex balloons and will choose it over food. Ribbons and strings attached to the balloons often tangle and strangle wildlife.

When the three year old that celebrated with this balloon, that I brought home from my walk, is 85 years old, it still will not have begun to decompose.
 For more information:  UK Rivers Network
Clean Virginia Waterways

References: New Canaan Nature Center|LA Times