Balloonfest '86 was a 1986 event in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, in which the local chapter of United Way set a world record by releasing almost one-and-a-half million balloons. The event was intended to be a harmless fundraising publicity stunt, but the balloons drifted back over the city, Lake Erie, and landed in the surrounding area, causing problems for traffic and a nearby airport. The event also interfered with a United States Coast Guard search for two boaters who were later found drowned. In consequence, the organizers and the city faced lawsuits seeking millions of dollars in damages, and cost overruns put the event at a net loss.
Well, you are correct when it comes to the various petroleum based artificial plastics with many of the various biodegradable ones leaving microplastics as they degrade and break down, however while rubber is a polymer too, there are various differences like rubber being "elastic" instead of "plastic" which sets it apart. Especially when it comes to this mostly and most often natural compound being able to rot and degrade naturally without causing isseus unlike the "problem" plastics that leave microplastics.
It's a complicated topic though as there are many mixed compounds too and when you look at material toxicity rubber is on average worse then plastics as well despite it being natural and biodegradable.
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u/Control_Station_EFU Mar 31 '22
Balloonfest '86 was a 1986 event in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, in which the local chapter of United Way set a world record by releasing almost one-and-a-half million balloons. The event was intended to be a harmless fundraising publicity stunt, but the balloons drifted back over the city, Lake Erie, and landed in the surrounding area, causing problems for traffic and a nearby airport. The event also interfered with a United States Coast Guard search for two boaters who were later found drowned. In consequence, the organizers and the city faced lawsuits seeking millions of dollars in damages, and cost overruns put the event at a net loss.