Release of balloons and sky lanterns

Releasing balloons or sky lanterns is often a chosen way to mark an event, commemoration or celebration.

While balloon or lantern releases are carried out with good intent, but unfortunately, they are incredibly damaging to the environment.

We do appreciate this is a sensitive and emotional issue as balloon releases are often organised to mark the death of a loved one, however we strongly encourage anyone considering a balloon or sky lantern release to and look for a better alternative option instead.

Our approach is in keeping with advice by marine conservationists and guidelines published by the balloon industry.

Releasing balloons and sky lanterns are known to be a problem for a number of reasons. They can cause:

• Injury to wildlife and livestock - animals and birds may eat parts of sky lanterns or deflated balloons when they come down on land or in the sea. Parts may be accidentally chopped into animal feed during harvest. Sharp parts can damage an animal's digestive system and balloons may block it. Animals and birds may also get caught up in fallen wire frames or string and suffer injury and distress in struggling to get free or starve to death
• Litter - balloons and lanterns cause litter when they fall back to land, or into the sea or other water bodies
• Fire - falling sky lanterns may set fire to buildings, dry standing crops, forestry, stores of hay/straw, peat moorland, etc.
• Air safety - balloons and sky lanterns may be drawn into aircraft engines or may be a distraction to pilots
• Rescue services - sometimes lanterns are mistaken for distress flares. HM Coastguard and lifeboats have been called out on false alarms due to lanterns. The National Fire Chiefs Council has issued a position statement that it does not support the use of sky lanterns and asks members of the public and event organisers to refrain from using them.

We would strongly encourage anyone considering a sky lantern or balloon release to look at an alternative option instead.

Although biodegradable balloon options are available, these still take months or even years to break down and can still cause suffering to animals.

Consider using kites, balloons on strings, or if the intention is that such an even serve as a memorial, perhaps a candle lit vigil, or the sharing of poems and thoughts together.

You could also draw an outline on the beach – bird, heart symbol, whatever you like – then people fill it with real petals (no artificial ones please).

These alternatives would not inadvertently release plastic waste over the countryside, which can harm animals and the environment.

The Marine Conservation Society is UK-based charity fighting for a cleaner, better-protected, healthier ocean.  Details of their Don’t Let Go campaign to strongly discourage the release of balloons and sky lanterns is available on their website here.

NABAS, The Balloon and Party Professionals Association is represents leading manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and event decorators for the balloon and party industry in the UK.  They say “NO” to balloon releases and have published guidelines and a code of conduct which is available on their website here.