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A drop in balloon releases ---
Added: (Wed Apr 11 2007)
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
A DROP IN BALLOON RELEASES
Struggling times for Balloon Companies
Increased awareness into environment effects of major balloon releases see’s struggling times ahead for local balloon companies.
London 10th April 2007
What happens to the 400 balloons, plastic ribbon and cardboard ticket numbers after a visually impressive colourful balloon release? A question never asked before the green awareness age we live in. Whether it’s the impact upon wildlife or an increase of littering within the country-side, the views of many are causing an impact on local balloon companies. USA state bans, event cancellations and campaigners are all adding to the media interest about the waste produced from mass balloon releases.
In Concord, Massachusetts a bill has been passed classing balloon releases in the same category as littering. If imposed strictly, a single balloon released into the atmosphere could impose a $250 fine by the ‘balloon police’.
Two e-petitions have appeared on the downing street web site within the last month. One requests a total ban and another in favour of banning foil and plastic products being released.
An “Eco-School” in Scotland has been praised by the “Marine Conservation Society” for cancelling its annual balloon release after being educated on its environmental concerns. The MCS produced a fact pack titled “Don’t let go” campaigning an end to death by balloon indigestion and the UK rivers network has advice for event organisers offering alternative balloon fundraising ideas.
While the balloon industry has sometimes shunned the wildlife impact, usually quoting references from an official 1989 paper where no link between wildlife death and latex balloon could be found, the increased awareness from major organisations has seen a shift to identifying a problem. The Balloon Association now gives blame to weighted or incorrectly inflated balloons not reaching a 5 mile height. It’s at this point a balloon will become brittle and shatter.
Some balloon delivery companies do not offer balloon releases. Important Occasions state “…until all the products used within the release are all 100% bio-degradable we won’t offer the service”.
It seems the chances of a charity winning ticket dropping into your garden are to be reduced.
Small Important People run children’s parties and work closely with the entertainment and balloon industry. 100% bio-degradable balloons are used at its parties and are never intentionally released into the environment.
** Contact **
From : Important Occasions
Contact : Sarah Rose
sarah@smallimportantpeople.co.uk
0870 766 2958
www.smallimportantpeople.co.uk
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