While natural latex does biodegrade, it doesn’t break down as quickly as some might think. Depending on environmental conditions, balloons can take anywhere from six months to four years to fully decompose. We recommend cutting balloons into smaller pieces to help them biodegrade faster, before throwing them in the trash. Our party supply store avoids releasing balloons into the environment as they can harm wildlife. Instead of releasing balloons into the air, use them as pretty decorations that can be disposed of responsibly afterward.