In response to bad publicity over the environmental impact of balloons once released, industry bodies such as NABAS & BAPIA have been fighting our corner for years. Long ago, both parties issued strict industry guidelines for conducting a balloon release which, if followed precisely, should not cause harm to wildlife.

Sadly however, this information is often lost or not followed and balloons (both latex and foil) are still regularly released with ribbon and/or valves attached and in large clusters. You’ve only got to take a look at the many images on Google of incorrectly released balloons, to see we’re fighting a losing battle as far as educating the public goes.

Although the ‘harmful to wildlife’ issue is the one which gets the most publicity and has environmentalists getting very hot under the collar, releasing balloons (correctly or incorrectly) actually raises several other environmental issues:

1. Wildlife

As mentioned above, despite strict industry guidelines, a lack of consumer awareness has resulted in many balloons being released with ribbon attached which can present a threat to wildlife if they become entangled.  Additionally, if the balloons were fitted with sealing discs or valves with pre-attached ribbon prior to release, these too can present a choking hazard.

2. Environment

As well as a presenting a potential choking hazard to wildlife, sealing discs and valves are made of plastic. Plastic, as you probably know, is not good for the environment – just look at the Government’s 5p carrier bag charge in an attempt to reduce the use of plastic bags – whilst foil balloons are made from a material which is just not biodegradable.

3. Power Cuts

Foil balloons also conduct electricity which can cause power cuts. It has become such a big issue in California that a law was passed which requires all foil balloons to be sold with a weight. However, the issue still continues and more drastic measures are being considered which may result in a total ban of helium-filled foil balloons. Imagine if other states and then possibly countries followed suit, it would spell disaster for the balloon industry.

4. Litter

And finally, there’s the big issue of littering. What goes up, must come down and since balloons can travel far and wide when released, the responsibility for picking up them up falls to others. Releasing balloons into the environment is quite frankly a glorified form of littering.

So, as sellers of balloons, what can we do? Well, the simplest and most effective thing we can all do is just say “NO!” to balloon releases. By that we mean, not offering them as a service to customers, not selling products such as race labels and release nets and educating customers* in the ‘why nots’ and guiding them to alternative solutions where possible**

Of course, no-one likes to turn down business but when you know in your heart of hearts that you’re doing the right thing, you’ll sleep more easily!  Not only that but you’ll probably learn that more people support you in your decision to boycott balloon releases than don’t.

 

In addition, there is an ever-growing list of councils in the UK who have already banned balloon releases. More recently, big events where balloon releases usually feature, such as Gibraltar’s National Day celebrations which has been running for 24 years and even one for the Queen’s 90^th Birthday, have been cancelled on environmental grounds.

Warning: Continuing to release balloons may actually land you in hot water!

*You may wish to become certified by the EBPC (European Balloons & Party Council) by joining the Balloons programme. Participation simply involves actively promoting the FUN use of balloons in RESPECT to the environment and ensuring consumers know where to look for further information. Retailers who sign up will be sent a window decal. For more information, visit http://ebpcouncil.eu/ebpc-best-practices/programs/balloons/retailers

**We have come up with a few possible alternatives to balloon releases which we have detailed in our blog “Possible alternatives to a balloon release?”

17/06/2016