Releasing helium balloons?

[sweetkitty]

Our primary school has had a tradition for the past 4/5 years of all the Primary 7s releasing a helium balloon on their last day. This year I had asked if we could not do it due to environmental reasons and showed some photos of injured seabirds and livestock, injured or killed from eating helium balloons plus they don’t degrade. I got totally ignored “my child would be devastated if they don’t get to release a balloon”

It’s 10 seconds and whoosh it’s gone, also it’s costing a fortune as helium has become really hard to source during lockdown so one little balloon is costing £2 just for a child to release into the sky to cause environmental damage.

The parents are organising it out with the school so I can’t complain to the school either. We will not be taking part obviously.

Ban helium balloons and fill them with hydrogen instead. Hydrogen can be manufactured easily enough and there is always the chance that the idiots who release them will get a scare that dissuades them from doing something so stupid ever again.

I'd feel exactly the same as you OP. However some parents are terminally thick and just won't consider their actions on others.

@RightIsRight

The helium used in balloons isn’ the same as the helium used in MRI scanners. It’s a different grade. You can’t use the helium in balloons for scanners so that argument is useless

They don't find an "MRI scanner helium reserve" or a "balloon helium reserve". It's the same element that's needed, even if it is treated in different ways once they've got it.

They don't find an "MRI scanner helium reserve" or a "balloon helium reserve". It's the same element that's needed, even if it is treated in different ways once they've got it

But saying that it’s taking helium away from the scanners is wrong. It can’t be used for them so my argument stands

I was similarly the party pooper several years ago when I argued against a similar balloon release (on environmental/pollution grounds as I wasn't so aware then of the scarcity of helium). You are correct and it's a shame the other parents are so short-sighted.

YANBU I can’t believe people still happily do balloon releases when it is so widely known how they can impact wildlife. I guess the balloon release makes for pretty pictures for social media so people will just carry on.

Suggest to the school that they attach the name of the school to each balloon that is released. They can then be sent a nice bill to pay if any of the balloons kill farmers' livestock or people's pet

Why are people still saying things like this, it has nothing to do with the school, OP has said several times the parents have organised this themselves.

I agree. They’re disgusting and outdated. What kind of crap parent teaches their children that this is ok?? Too many people are totally self centred nowadays. It’s nice to see so many people against them on this thread.

I'm gobsmacked this is still going on- absolutely ridiculous. Get the school on board educating the children and hopefully changing things ASAP!

God I hate them! Can you try and find eco friendly alternatives? We look down so much on throwing a chip rapper on the floor but love throwing plastic into the oceans

Contact the council and school, although it isn't happening on school grounds, as it's essentially a school related event I'm sure they could intervene - even if only by educating the children of the impact they have) - you may not be able to convince the parents, but the kids may be more understanding/environmental aware. Keep up the pressure up if you feel able to, the Balloons Blow website looks like it has loads of good information and alternatives - the giant bubbles option looks a good option.

I am the WORST culprit when it comes to erroneous or just random parentheses. Sorry!

I think the wild seed meadows are a fantastic idea. (although I’ve sprinkled about ten packets of Bee Bombs and other wild seed company’s products over the last two summers and I’ve not had a single bloody flower yet!!)

You could do a protest. Take 10 balloons half filled with air, “release” them, then leave them hobbling round the playground for the teachers to pick up....

If anyone asks you to do it, ask who’s going to pick up all the others when they land.

You could also volunteer to make tags for the balloons as a project to see how far they go. On the inside write a note about doing an environmental study and ask them to write to the school re. Releasing litter for others to pick up.

If they know it was you, who cares. You’re leaving.