Repurpose
Mylar-type plastic and metallic foil balloons are not biodegradable and not easily recyclable. However, they can be repurposed in resourceful ways. The good news is that the material is easily cut, glued, and fused. Get creative!
ReUse or ReInflate: Foil type and plastic balloons can easily be deflated using a straw and packed away for another use. Or, consider taking them to a store to be re-inflated.
Balloon-It-Forward: Sharing a Mylar balloon can be fun. Did you receive a balloon for your birthday? Sign the balloon with a permanent pen and pass it to a friend whose birthday is next (along with The Pledge HERE). See how many signatures that you can fit on one balloon!
Be Crafty: Your creativity is endless here. The prints and colors on Mylar balloons are vibrant一so cut, glue, fuse and weave! Make cards, photo frames, scrapbook, crochet, flowers, pom-poms or friendship bracelets. Your effort will be long lasting and appreciated even more.
Gift Wrap: Cut the nozzle-end and use it as a gift bag and tie with a ribbon, or cut into squares to wrap a gift.
Reuse your balloons by cutting a hole into the base of the balloon, then insert a non-plastic straw to let the air out.
Deter Animals: Cut the metallic-foil balloons into strips and hang them to move freely in the wind in areas where you want to keep unwanted animals away. The reflection and movement scares animals. This is especially helpful for gardens and trees.
Camping Applications: Backpackers and campers rarely leave home without an emergency foil-type blanket in their packs. These emergency “space” blankets are the same material as foil balloons. Both are great insulators. Deflated foil balloons can be turned into a homemade emergency blanket. Cut into squares and fuse together using an old iron covered in a cloth (so it doesn’t stick), or simply use duct tape.
Another use is harnessing the sun’s energy and creating a DIY Solar Cooker – using the sun’s rays, reflective foil balloons, aluminum tape and a cardboard box. The rays will reflect off the shiny parabolic surface and the intense concentration of heat will cook your food. Click HERE for step-by-step directions.
Foil or Insulated Wrapping: Use an old Mylar balloon to put around a plant and tie with a ribbon when giving a plant or wine gift. Alternatively, use the reflective material around your water bottle as an insulator to keep the water cold and minimize the bottle from “sweating” moisture.