While balloon releases are beautiful and carry special meaning for those who have them, the environmental effects reach far beyond the balloons disappearing into the sky. What goes up, must come down. These balloons end up in our waterways and out into the ocean. Marine life often mistakes the balloons for food. There are numerous examples of how this kills our ocean wildlife, as well as littering our land and waterways. Additionally, the balloons often end up getting caught on something by the string. Birds fly into this tangled mess and either starve, get injured, or electrocuted if the balloon has landed on a power line. There are better ways to celebrate and memorialize, that have less of an ecological impact. For example, you can blow bubbles for a release, or send seed bombs down a stream, river, or in the ocean. I do not suggest releasing butterflies or Japanese lanterns, as these will end up having a negative environmental impact as well. Join with me in demanding that the City of Houston ban all balloon release memorials and events. 

Here's how to make seed bombs –

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Seed-Bomb