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Original poster

Stop releasing helium balloons in memory of

143 replies

Fiis · 01/06/2025 15:51

Plus seen weddings, gender reveals etc with this too.

Balloons do not go to heaven. They float c. 50 miles, depending on wind conditions, then pop as hit a certain height.

The balloon remains fall to earth, usually in a field. Farm animals have eaten them and reports of them dying,

If you want to remember someone, do something permanent such as planting a tree, lighting candles at home etc

OP posts:
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5
Spies · 01/06/2025 18:31

ScupperedbytheSea · 01/06/2025 18:21

I'm middle aged now, and have never seen this. Am I missing something?

I'm surprised you've missed it. Theres been lots of examples in the news even if you've not seen anything locally.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 01/06/2025 18:31

Shatteredallthetimelately · 01/06/2025 16:00

And Chinese lanterns...

Who on earth thought it was a good idea to set something alight and release it to float away.

The Chinese, presumably. 🤔

LaLaLaLavaChChChChicken · 01/06/2025 18:24

HangryLikeTheHulk · 01/06/2025 16:39

And fuck your balloon arch and your giant birthday numbers. Fuck them up your arse.

Adding an extra fuck you to those who have the balloon arch or giant numbers for a day, then give them away on FB the next day.

ScupperedbytheSea · 01/06/2025 18:21

I'm middle aged now, and have never seen this. Am I missing something?

IwantmyReptv · 01/06/2025 18:19

So many idiots still do this to litter / commemorate people who have passed away.

Our council are too scared to call it out though as it's a "sensitive issue". I asked them to join the campaign to declare they've banned balloon and lantern litter releases, and they wouldn't. Every person who releases balloon litter needs fining. I no longer care why they are doing it. They should know by now how awful it is.

Gingernaut · 01/06/2025 18:18

There are a couple of fishermen who make a point of filming when they pick up mylar balloons from the sea

https://youtube.com/shorts/R5HchaZtBtw?si=EKyiXfpu4ZRUCsMb

Plastic bags and balloons float like jellyfish and choke the sea turtles that feed on them

Before you continue to YouTube

https://youtube.com/shorts/R5HchaZtBtw?si=EKyiXfpu4ZRUCsMb

Eddielizzard · 01/06/2025 18:17

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I've tried. Hasn't helped. They keep manufacturing this shit

Beingreal2323 · 01/06/2025 18:16

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Beingreal2323 · 01/06/2025 18:13

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butteredhorseradish · 01/06/2025 18:10

Eddielizzard · 01/06/2025 17:53

I want all unnecessary plastic products banned. Things like balloons, plastic plants (WTAF!!?!?), astroturf, plastic packaging around veg that don't need it etc etc

We're absolutely ruining the environment. They've found micro plastics in mothers' milk, our brains and the Marianna Trench. Time to stop.

Agree.
A relative sent me some hideous plastic flower garlands to "brighten up a dark corner of my home". I couldn't not believe that shite like this is manufactured, never mind that people actually buy shite like this. I know my relative meant well but she's always sending plastic stuff like this and I've very nicely asked not to but she takes no notice.

Unfortunately though, this plastic shite, including helium balloons, won't be banned because it makes money.

intrepidpanda · 01/06/2025 18:00

user1473878824 · 01/06/2025 16:15

What four percent voting think murdering farm animals in a slow and painful way is reasonable?!?!

Balloon shop owners.

StripyHorse · 01/06/2025 17:59

Paintbench · 01/06/2025 15:52

Last time I was aware of someone doing this… it was about 15 years ago on a tv programme
Not aware of anyone doing it now

Certainly I thing here - usually when someone has died too young either from illness or an accident. Of course if you commented on a FB post where they are arranging it, you would get your arse habded to you on a plate for being insensitive.

U53rn8m3ch8ng3 · 01/06/2025 17:54

Paintbench · 01/06/2025 15:52

Last time I was aware of someone doing this… it was about 15 years ago on a tv programme
Not aware of anyone doing it now

Are you joking? See it all the time.

Eddielizzard · 01/06/2025 17:53

I want all unnecessary plastic products banned. Things like balloons, plastic plants (WTAF!!?!?), astroturf, plastic packaging around veg that don't need it etc etc

We're absolutely ruining the environment. They've found micro plastics in mothers' milk, our brains and the Marianna Trench. Time to stop.

Ilovemyshed · 01/06/2025 17:33

Hufflemuff · 01/06/2025 16:46

Yep and farm animals could eat a plastic bottle cap and die too... the world's full of plastic crap unfortunately. I think its highly unlikely the balloons will reach a farm.

I'm in favour of doing it if it will help someone's grief or be part of a celebration.

This is going along the same lines of "we should ban fireworks because it upsets my dog".

You are very stupid.

AddictedToBooks · 01/06/2025 17:30

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 01/06/2025 16:54

So much stupidity in one post, where do you even start?

Show quote history

I agree - stupidity and utter selfishness.
Makes me remember why I dislike some people.

Original poster
Fiis · 01/06/2025 17:29

Asdada · 01/06/2025 17:10

There’s a helium balloon stuck in a tree near us. It’s been there since pre Covid times and doesn’t seem to have degraded at all. I’m actually quite impressed with its tenacity, despite all of the storms we’ve had since then it’s still determinedly littering our environment.

There is a balloon caught on an evergreen tree, about a mile away. Like you, had storms and it’s still there. One of neighbouring trees fell down too

OP posts:
Iwantsandybeachesandgoodfood · 01/06/2025 17:29

assertiveplant · 01/06/2025 17:14

Thank you for explaining. Grief is overwhelming and intense. I can see how it would drive thoughts and feelings like that.

I hope your grief is easier for you to carry now.

Show quote history

Thank you.

Ethelflaedofmercia · 01/06/2025 17:27

@ExtraOnionsi think I know which crash you’re talking about. I seen the comments, the threats towards people who told them not to do a balloon release.

I understand they have lost relatives/friends but what a bunch of vile people. I couldn’t believe the threats they were dishing out on some of the newspaper articles

toomuchfaff · 01/06/2025 17:20

Hufflemuff · 01/06/2025 16:46

Yep and farm animals could eat a plastic bottle cap and die too... the world's full of plastic crap unfortunately. I think its highly unlikely the balloons will reach a farm.

I'm in favour of doing it if it will help someone's grief or be part of a celebration.

This is going along the same lines of "we should ban fireworks because it upsets my dog".

You're part of the problem.

Ballons don't go to heaven, theres plenty of other ways to help grief, & there's plenty of evidence to show they DO KILL Wildlife & horses and farm animals.

Heres one such article.
www.rspca.org.uk/documents/1494935/9042554/Balloon+releases+%28V1.1%29+-+2018.pdf

Mikart · 01/06/2025 17:15

It's an awful modern phenomenon. My ds died last year and I would have been horrified if anyone had done this.
Do something positive and proactive...but not send off balloons or fireworks.

Ethelflaedofmercia · 01/06/2025 17:14

im always seeing it on Facebook, it’s ridiculous and needs to be made illegal

assertiveplant · 01/06/2025 17:14

Iwantsandybeachesandgoodfood · 01/06/2025 16:35

The idea that they might reach my dad’s soul which was floating around on its way to heaven. That sounds so ridiculous but it my grief it made sense. It was also a way for the kids to “send a message to granddad”.

Show quote history

Thank you for explaining. Grief is overwhelming and intense. I can see how it would drive thoughts and feelings like that.

I hope your grief is easier for you to carry now.

Mikart · 01/06/2025 17:12

HangryLikeTheHulk · 01/06/2025 16:39

And fuck your balloon arch and your giant birthday numbers. Fuck them up your arse.

😅😅

Asdada · 01/06/2025 17:10

There’s a helium balloon stuck in a tree near us. It’s been there since pre Covid times and doesn’t seem to have degraded at all. I’m actually quite impressed with its tenacity, despite all of the storms we’ve had since then it’s still determinedly littering our environment.

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