On a recent ocean excursion with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution ( WHOI ), Carl and Jennifer Mazzanti and their two sons unexpectedly learned quite a bit about the dangers of Mylar balloons. Everyone loves a balloon. But, as they discovered, Mylar balloons are polluting the world’s oceans.
On the educational expedition, the family counted over 40 Mickey and Minnie Mouse balloons floating in the water. These types of balloons are drifting all over near our coasts and across the seven seas. Since this trip, it has become eMazzanti’s mission to raise awareness about this issue.
Many people do not realize that when a Mylar balloon is released into the air it can travel for many miles, and in most cases, ends up in the ocean. Once in the ocean, animals mistake the balloons for their natural prey, blocking their digestive systems and in many cases, killing them by starvation.
It is easy for anyone to help protect sea life by reducing the number of Mylar balloons that reach our oceans. For example:
- Purchase latex balloons instead of Mylar. They deflate faster, and although still dangerous, are more likely to break down.
- Never release a balloon into the air—always pop and dispose of in the trash.
- Or, opt for Chinese lanterns which burn up and ultimately disappear.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a team of scientists and engineers dedicated to learning about the ocean’s role in climate and understanding ocean biodiversity. They invent new technologies for exploring the deep ocean and seek out ocean resources with possible medical benefits.
As a member of WHOI’s 1930 Society, eMazzanti Technologies is seeing that WHOI – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution receives the funding they need to continue with their efforts and to train the next generation of ocean scientists. We invite our readers to support WHOI and eMazzanti Technologies by sharing this post with their friends and associates to increase awareness of the Mylar balloon problem.
Carl Mazzanti is Co-Founder and President of eMazzanti Technologies, Microsoft’s four time Partner of the Year and one of the premier IT consulting services for businesses throughout the New York metropolitan area and internationally. Carl and his company manage over 400 active accounts ranging from professional services firms to high-end global retailers.
eMazzanti is all about delivering powerful, efficient outsourced IT services, such as computer network management and troubleshooting, managed print, PCI DSS compliance, green computing, mobile workforce technology, information security, cloud computing, and business continuity and disaster recovery.
Carl Mazzanti is also a frequent business conference speaker and technology talk show guest and contributor at Microsoft-focused events, including frequent prominent roles at the Microsoft Inspire (Worldwide Partner Conference / WPC).
Carl, a serial Entrepreneur, gives back to the community through Entrepreneur teaching engagements at Georgetown University, the company’s ocean wildlife conservation effort, the Blue Project, and Tree Mazzanti.
