To ask everyone to stop balloon releases

[Poscapen]

It's always difficult to comment, because people let this rubbish into the air at times of grief. But as I see a load of black balloons released in their 100's, would it be OK to ask that everyone - every single MN'er - pledge to never organise a balloon (or Chinese lantern) release and never take part in one?
We know that the balloons and the threads tied on take a varied amount of time to biodegrade (even the biodegradable ones). We know that helium is a finite resource. We know that these stupid releases kill livestock, pets and wild animals on a frighteningly regular basis. So why is it still happening? Why are we humans so stupid? Don't get me started on sending naked flames and sharp bamboo frames off into the countryside!
If we want to commemorate a lost one surely we can think about things like bee bombs instead? Would the loved one who has passed away want their legacy to be a young foal, just for example, dead because of the balloon and cord tangled in it's throat? Takes the edge off the "Fly free Grandad" label attached doesn't it?

And GLITTER I meant to add. Awful stuff.

I completely agree. I think balloons should be banned full stop. Balloons seem to be a magnet for attention seekers. Balloon arches for celebrations, balloon popping for baby gender reveal parties, balloon releases - it all needs to stop. We are supposed to be reducing our plastic use and waste, I don’t understand how balloons have slipped through the net.

YANBU in regards to philosophy/sentiment. YABVVU asking Mumsnet to ‘take a pledge’, it seems akin to those ghastly purity balls with rings they have in the US.

I’m against balloon releases. I love a good decoration using helium balloons though, then disposing appropriately. The last milestone birthday in this household we kept the large helium filled numbers and spent 3 months watching them slowly deflate in the living room. They had to be shuffled around the room depending on who was sitting where watching tele🤣. A venue without balloon decoration would seem so odd.

I hate them,

I recall there were several for Archie Battersbee and anyone who gently suggested alternatives on the fb group e.g sparklers were torn to shreds.

I think grief clouds peoples judgement.

Yanbu, it's just littering that can kill animals, it's just selfish.

What the fuck is wrong with you? Making fun of hashtags people have used during a loss of a previous child.

Yes balloon releases are horrible but why are you mocking people's posts about a dead baby? Disgusting

*precious not previous!

Yep. Balloon releases are environmentally irresponsible - not to mention as chavvy as hell.
A beautiful pet horse died only last summer where I live due to choking on a balloon.
What a pathetic waste, on all fronts.

Agree OP. DS and I often take part in local litter picking events and the amount of shit in on the beach and in the sea from these things is staggering.

Also (in response to a pp), as someone who volunteers my time to clear up after these idiots, I'll call them out for what they are - idiots.

Should be banned. Remembering past loved ones by killing wildlife and littering isn't away I'd like to be remembered

On the news last night, I was shocked to see the sheer number of balloons at the vigil in Cardiff

It's mass littering and should be banned. Is it legal? I'm surprised it is to be fair. Why can't I flytip my old sofa if I can release 1000 balloons?

Genuinely don't understand that sort of thing at all. Yes they are grieving/hoping for the best outcome for the two survivors, but how does letting balloons go help in any way? Majority of those people probably didn't even know the people

There is a petition on change.org against helium balloons.
They’re an environmental disaster

Totally agree. There are other ways to commemorate a lost loved one without causing pollution and immeasurable damage to wild life . Also flowers left I plastic at the site of accidents. At least unwrap them so they can degrade naturally!!

Also fireworks. Not withstanding the impact on animals and environment, it strikes me as a bit tacky.

it strikes me as a bit tacky. these people are grieving. They don't care if people find it tacky.

I was appalled watching the release on the news this morning. It's a lazy knee jerk reaction to a tragedy by people who Iove the public grieving.

It's one thing to disagree with balloon releases.

It's quite another to mock the loss of someone's baby because you disagree with their method of grieving.

Eugh yes, YANBU, I've long thought that balloon releases should be banned. I'm not a fan of balloons in general to be honest.

Some people tried to organise a balloon release when my child died, I said no. They put it down to my grief being too overwhelming, but I just hate them.

Instead my children and I go to the seaside on special days, and whisper messages as we blow bubbles, the little ones think that when the bubbles pop that's their sibling hearing their messages, my older dc just find it therapeutic, as do I.

“Unfortunately the sort of people that indulge in balloon releases usually aren't concerned about anything outside their own little world and will hotly defend their right to do whatever they like 🙁”

Yup. selfish bastards.

They should be banned. Lanterns- same.

How you can get fined for dropping litter / dog shit but letting a balloon off and then killing an animal - yeah that’s fine. Bloody beyond me.

That sounds a lovely way to remember and honour your child @MamaCanYouBuyMeABanana. I’m so sorry for your loss.

Totally agree OP but some people will do whatever they want to do, regardless of anybody else.

Balloon releases are hugely harmful to wildlife, horses, etc. but... 'grieving'. The days where people grieved without visible, impactful, physical pieces of tat are long gone.

Surely there are more environmentally friendly ways to decorate a venue? Biodegradable confetti has been around for a long time; I’d be surprised if there aren’t other types of decorations available that aren’t made of plastic or glitter.

I’ve read that helium is a finite resource, which is a problem because it is used in some medical equipment. My children have never had helium balloons on their birthdays and have never felt they were missing out!