The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Ban releases of balloons, says charity
Councils urged to make call
Local councils are being urged to ban releases of balloons and sky lanterns on their land after balloon litter on beaches rose by more than half in a year.
Volunteers taking part in the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Great British Beach Clean last September found litter such as latex or foil balloons and strings was up 53% from 2015 to 2016.
On beaches and in the sea, balloons, strings, lanterns and frames can have long-lasting effects on wildlife, choking or entangling creatures with harmful or even fatal consequences.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is asking the public to pledge their support for a ban by their local authority on balloon releases on council land, such as parks, sports facilities and schools.
The charity is taking its Don’t Let Go campaign to a local level to persuade more councils to ban the release of both balloons and sky lanterns on their land, as part of efforts to see all intentional balloon releases stopped. More than 50 UK local authorities, from Shetland to Cardiff and Cornwall, have already agreed to implement a ban on balloon and lantern releases.
Emma Cunningham, MCS pollution campaigns officer, said: “There’s an awful lot of confusion over balloons, especially what they’re made of and how they break down.
“Some people believe that because latex is natural, balloons made of it are harmless once let go. This just isn’t the case.
“Latex may last for up to four years in the marine environment.
“The latest research also shows that only around 13% of balloons burst into small pieces whilst more than 80% come down intact.”
Sky lanterns also pose a threat to wildlife and livestock, and can be a fire hazard to crops or property, MCS said. They added that Helium is running out and should be conserved.
Balloon or lantern bans are already in place around the world including some states in the US and parts of Australia, Germany, Vietnam and Spain.
“Latex may last for up to 4 years in the marine environment”