Best Confetti for Outdoor Events
06/02/2025

What's the Best Type of Confetti for Outdoor Events

Planning an outdoor celebration and wondering about confetti? The best confetti for outdoor events balances spectacular visual effects with environmental responsibility and practical considerations like weather.

The best type of confetti for outdoor events is generally a high-quality, 100% biodegradable tissue confetti, often made from rice paper or specially treated tissue, designed to withstand light moisture and break down naturally.

Why Biodegradable Confetti is Essential for Outdoor Events

When choosing confetti for outdoor use, biodegradability isn't just a suggestion – it's a critical factor for several reasons:

  • Environmental Impact: Non-biodegradable confetti (like metallic PVC confetti) can persist in the environment for years, harming wildlife, polluting waterways, and contributing to plastic waste.
  • Venue Requirements: Many outdoor venues, parks, and public spaces strictly prohibit non-biodegradable confetti to protect their grounds and simplify cleanup. Using unapproved materials could result in fines or cleanup fees.
  • Cleanup Effort: Biodegradable confetti, especially rice paper, dissolves with moisture, significantly reducing the labor required for post-event cleanup.

Top Biodegradable Confetti Options for Outdoors

  1. Rice Paper Confetti:
    • Pros: The gold standard for outdoor events. It's incredibly lightweight, flies beautifully, and dissolves completely with water (rain, dew, or even a hose). It leaves virtually no trace.
    • Cons: Can be slightly more expensive than standard tissue confetti. Less vibrant in color than metallic options.
    • Best For: Any outdoor event where cleanup is a major concern, or environmental impact is paramount (e.g., weddings in gardens, park festivals, eco-conscious events).
  2. Biodegradable Tissue Confetti:
    • Pros: Made from natural wood pulp, designed to break down naturally over time. Offers a wider range of colors than rice paper and is very cost-effective. Generally holds up well to light breezes.
    • Cons: Takes longer to decompose than rice paper (weeks to months, depending on conditions). Can become soggy and less vibrant if heavily exposed to rain before dispersion.
    • Best For: General outdoor use where moderate cleanup is acceptable, or for events with less stringent environmental rules than those requiring immediate dissolution. Look for "eco-friendly" or "biodegradable" labels.

Weather Resistance: What to Consider

While no confetti is truly "weatherproof," selecting the right type minimizes issues:

  • Wind: Lightweight confetti (both rice paper and tissue) will fly further and spread more easily in light breezes, creating a more dramatic effect. However, strong winds can make aiming and cleanup challenging.
  • Moisture/Rain:
    • Rice paper is excellent as it dissolves quickly with moisture, making it ideal for wet conditions or guaranteed easy cleanup.
    • Biodegradable tissue can clump if it gets too wet before or during dispersion, but will still break down naturally over time.
  • Metallic Confetti (Avoid Outdoors): While visually stunning, metallic confetti (made from PVC) is not biodegradable and is highly reflective, making it unsuitable for outdoor use where environmental impact or difficult cleanup are concerns. It does not dissolve or break down.

Confetti Cannons & Blowers for Outdoor Use

Regardless of the confetti material you choose, the right equipment ensures optimal dispersal:

  • Continuous Confetti Blowers: Ideal for massive outdoor events like concerts or festivals, designed to disperse large volumes of biodegradable confetti over expansive areas.

Always confirm that any pre-filled cannons or bulk confetti you purchase are specifically labeled as "biodegradable" if you're using them outdoors.

By choosing the right biodegradable confetti and understanding its properties, you can create a stunning and memorable outdoor celebration while remaining environmentally responsible.