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Sempertex Europe: why we do not support balloon releases.

Sempertex Europe does not support balloon releases, of any kind, and we encourage all our customers to take the same stance. Every released balloon lands somewhere as litter, and that does not align with how we and our community approach our craft. Balloons are meant to be used for building, not for releasing. Fortunately, there are better alternatives,, and you can find them below.



Our position

. As responsible balloon professionals, we want to protect our environment from unnecessary litter. That is why we have made the decision not to support balloon releases: we do not organise them, we do not promote them, and we ask our customers not to carry them out or recommend them either.

This position is not isolated: it follows the European Code of Best Practice for the balloon industry, the guidelines that the sector imposes on itself regarding safe and responsible balloon use. In more and more countries and municipalities, releases are now also legally prohibited. If a customer still requests a release, our answer is always the same: no, but we would be happy to find a better alternative for your event.

Why so strict?

Because it cannot be otherwise. A released balloon ceases to be decoration the moment you let it go: from then on it is waste that lands somewhere, often in nature reserves or water, where it poses a risk to animals. The fact that latex is a natural and biodegradable material does not change that; breaking down takes months, and all that time that balloon is where it shouldn't be.

More beautiful alternatives for a release

The good news for those looking for a symbolic or spectacular moment: you don't need a release for that.

  • A balloon drop. Hundreds of balloons coming down from a net at the right moment: at least just as spectacular, completely indoors, and everything is simply cleaned up afterwards.
  • An air-filled photo moment. A backdrop, arch, or installation where guests take photos. Stays perfectly in place all day and provides content that lasts longer than any release.
  • Anchored helium designs. Helium clusters and floating decorations, each piece individually attached to a weight. All the magic of floating balloons, but with zero risk of one drifting away.
  • For memorial moments: a single anchored design in a meaningful place, which is consciously removed afterwards, is more personal and respectful than letting something go that ends up as waste elsewhere.

And after each event, the same simple rule applies: cut used balloons and throw them in the general waste. Done.

Materials for your own business

Do you want to promote this stance in your own studio or shop? Then print the official PartySafe materials: a poster with the position on inflations, a care card and brochure for your customers, and stickers for your packaging. More about safe balloon use can be found at www.partysafe.eu/balloons.

Frequently asked

Doet Sempertex Europe mee aan ballonoplatingen?

Nee. We organiseren, steunen en promoten geen ballonoplatingen van welke aard ook, en we vragen onze klanten om hetzelfde standpunt in te nemen. Dit volgt de Europese Code of Best Practice voor de ballonindustrie.

Wat is een goed alternatief voor een ballonoplating?

Een balloon drop, een luchtgevuld fotomoment of verankerde heliumdesigns geven hetzelfde spektakel zonder dat er ook maar een ballon vertrekt. Voor herdenkingsmomenten is een enkel verankerd design op een betekenisvolle plek persoonlijker en respectvoller.

Wat doe ik met ballonnen na een event?

Knip gebruikte ballonnen door met een schaar en gooi ze bij het restafval, samen met accessoires en verpakking. Zo eindigt niets als zwerfvuil.

Wat is de Code of Best Practice?

De richtlijnen die de Europese ballonindustrie zichzelf oplegt rond veilig en verantwoord ballongebruik: nooit oplaten, veilig opblazen met een pomp, nooit helium inademen, kinderen onder 8 begeleiden, en verantwoord weggooien. Meer info op www.partysafe.eu/balloons.

Does Sempertex Europe take part in balloon releases?

No. We do not organise, support or promote balloon releases of any kind, and we ask our customers to take the same position. This follows the European Code of Best Practice for the balloon industry.

What is a good alternative to a balloon release?

A balloon drop, an air-filled photo moment or anchored helium designs deliver the same spectacle without a single balloon getting away. For memorial moments, a single anchored design in a meaningful place is more personal and more respectful.

What do I do with balloons after an event?

Snip used balloons with scissors and put them in the general waste, together with accessories and packaging. That way nothing ends up as litter.

What is the Code of Best Practice?

The guidelines the European balloon industry sets itself for safe and responsible balloon use: never release, inflate safely with a pump, never inhale helium, supervise children under 8, and dispose responsibly. More info at www.partysafe.eu/balloons.

Sempertex Europe participe-t-il aux lachers de ballons?

Non. Nous n'organisons, ne soutenons et ne promouvons aucun lacher de ballons, de quelque nature que ce soit, et nous demandons a nos clients d'adopter la meme position. Cela suit le Code europeen de bonnes pratiques de l'industrie du ballon.

Quelle est une bonne alternative a un lacher de ballons?

Un balloon drop, un decor photo gonfle a l'air ou des designs a l'helium ancres offrent le meme spectacle sans qu'un seul ballon ne s'echappe. Pour les moments de commemoration, un seul design ancre a un endroit significatif est plus personnel et plus respectueux.

Que faire des ballons apres un evenement?

Coupez les ballons utilises avec des ciseaux et jetez-les avec les dechets residuels, accessoires et emballages compris. Ainsi, rien ne finit dans la nature.

Qu'est-ce que le Code of Best Practice?

Les lignes directrices que l'industrie europeenne du ballon s'impose pour un usage sur et responsable: ne jamais lacher, gonfler en securite avec une pompe, ne jamais inhaler d'helium, accompagner les enfants de moins de 8 ans, et jeter de maniere responsable. Plus d'infos sur www.partysafe.eu/balloons.

Macht Sempertex Europe bei Ballonstarts mit?

Nein. Wir organisieren, unterstuetzen und bewerben keine Ballonstarts jeglicher Art, und wir bitten unsere Kunden, denselben Standpunkt einzunehmen. Das folgt dem europaeischen Code of Best Practice der Ballonindustrie.

Was ist eine gute Alternative zu einem Ballonstart?

Ein Balloon Drop, ein luftgefuellter Fotomoment oder verankerte Heliumdesigns liefern dasselbe Spektakel, ohne dass auch nur ein Ballon davonfliegt. Fuer Gedenkmomente ist ein einzelnes verankertes Design an einem bedeutungsvollen Ort persoenlicher und respektvoller.

Was mache ich mit Ballons nach einem Event?

Schneide gebrauchte Ballons mit einer Schere durch und wirf sie in den Restmuell, zusammen mit Zubehoer und Verpackung. So endet nichts als Abfall in der Natur.

Was ist der Code of Best Practice?

Die Richtlinien, die sich die europaeische Ballonindustrie selbst auferlegt fuer sicheren und verantwortungsvollen Ballongebrauch: nie steigen lassen, sicher mit einer Pumpe aufblasen, nie Helium einatmen, Kinder unter 8 begleiten, und verantwortungsvoll entsorgen. Mehr Infos auf www.partysafe.eu/balloons.