Merrick Woman's 'Mission' Bringing Awareness To Disposing Balloons

MERRICK, NY — A power outage last week in Long Beach, believed to be caused by a foil balloon, is leading to more awareness of what they can do once they come down.

Balloon Mission was founded by Cynthia Seibold of Merrick a year ago to spread the word about the problems balloons can cause if not properly discarded.

"We are growing so quickly," Seibold told Patch.

Her organization has gotten bins set up in schools and libraries for a collection program of balloons. Seibold's vision gained clarity during the pandemic.

"I started volunteering with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, doing these virtual beach cleanups, and I'm noticing all these balloons," she said.

As Seibold researched, she discovered balloons are an environmental concern worldwide. As was the case in Long Beach, balloons can cause power outages and wildfires.

While latex and foil balloons have warnings for young children, Seibold said it's equally problematic for animals who find the balloon entrails.

"Everything is food for them," she said. "So, it becomes death by inhalation through ingestion."

Plus, most balloons have strong, plastic ribbons attached to them, which "cause entanglements."

She said balloons are the number one killer of birds and the third leading cause of death among sea turtles.

Balloon Mission has a pair of goals as part of its mission. In the short term, they are partnering with waste management Covanta to create an energy solution from balloon materials. The group's long-term plan, through funding from donations and grants, will lead to recycling balloons into products.

"The biggest thing is people don't know [balloons] are a problem," Seibold said.

Laws are on the books in Suffolk County, the Town of Hempstead and the City of Long Beach banning intentional balloon releases.

When she formed Balloon Mission, she wanted to focus on educating the public by getting information signs posted.

Seibold said they got six signs installed in the Town of Hempstead, including at five beaches.

Ultimately, she hopes people will learn to exercise better balloon practices by "responsibly disposing of them."