Save the Fish
Balloon: how long does it take to break down in the sea?
Estimated time to break down in the sea: many years. Source: NOAA Marine Debris Program (blog.marinedebris.noaa.gov). NOAA gives no single number, only “years or centuries”, so we say “many years”.
Balloon: why is it harmful to the sea?
Swallowed by turtles and seabirds as food; the ribbon tangles them.
Balloon: does it really disappear?
Not quickly. NOAA says balloons can last for years or even centuries in places like the deep sea before they become microplastics.
Balloon: how harmful is it compared with other trash?
Harm score 8 out of 10: lasts 4/4, toxic 1/3, wildlife 3/3. It ranks 7 of 31 on our list. This score is our own simple scale for comparing items in the game. It is not an official index.
Balloon: what is it made of?
Material: Latex rubber. A typical one is about 25 cm long and weighs about 3 g.
Balloon: what can I do?
Never let balloons go: pop them and put them in the bin after the party.
Balloon: what lasts longer, and what breaks down sooner?
Lasts longer: Plywood, Cigarette butt, Pencil. Breaks down sooner: Wool sock, Wool glove, Milk carton.
Balloon: where does this figure come from?
From “The Scary Truth About Party Balloons”, NOAA Marine Debris Program blog (US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Checked on 2026-10-25.
The source says“the balloons can persist in environments such as the deep sea for years or centuries before becoming microplastics”The source's limits (in English): Words only, no figure: balloons 'can persist in environments such as the deep sea for years or centuries'. The game shows 'many years'.