Okay, we’re a bit late to the party here, but balloons cause environmental damage and take a long time to degrade. So, last month researchers at Imperial College London released a new balloon material designed to break down quickly after use, offering a more environmentally responsible alternative for celebrations and events.

Led by the Department of Chemical Engineering’s Professor Jason Hallett, a modified latex material has been employed in the so called Bioloon.

Professor Jason Hallett, academic research lead, said: “We were approached by an events company that identified a real environmental challenge and asked whether we could develop a more sustainable balloon. It was a fascinating project to work on, bringing together fundamental materials science with a practical application. We hope the result will encourage a shift towards more environmentally responsible materials across the industry."

Although today's balloons are often marked as biodegradable, this is often not the case, and this research demonstrates how science can help reduce everyday sources of pollution by improving familiar products rather than replacing them entirely.

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