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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to beg for no more balloon releases

286 replies

Newspeaker · 27/05/2023 08:49

Why is it that at the times of the worst tragedy so many people still think it is OK to release dangerous litter into the sky? Surely in every group who plan these events there will be at least one person who understands the implications and can push for an alternative?
That's it really. Don't tell me people need to grieve - there are plenty of other ways to signal your grief, if you feel the need to do that. Does anyone want the memorial to their loved one be tainted by - just one real life example - a dead donkey foal with a balloon and the string in her gut? It seems particularly ironic that our young people can be so vocal about environmental issues, and yet they still flock to buy the balloons and take part in these releases.
It just breaks my heart to see this, knowing that the odds are some animals will suffer or die from our thoughtlessness, and yet again the land will be littered.

Any time someone posts about this they get accused of bad timing and insensitivity. Caring about our environment and feeling deep sadness for tragic losses aren't mutually exclusive. We have to find some time to speak up, because however much we do, it still happens.

OP posts:
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7
whumpthereitis · 27/05/2023 09:07

No one is condemning people for wanting to symbolise their grief. People are being condemned for memorialising their loved ones by taking out the local wildlife.

Whinge · 27/05/2023 09:09

TrippinEdBalls · 27/05/2023 09:04

I agree about the environmental damage but I think it would be more effective to suggest alternatives than to just condemn people for wanting a way to symbolize their grief. Candles seems better but I'm not sure if in reality a candle vigil creates a lot of rubbish?

There are always plenty of other suggestions, but people don't care as they want the stock photo of 100s of balloons in the sky. I genuinely think they care about the photos more than the consequences. Bubbles or seed bombs wouldn't have the same visual impact. It's as though they think they need 100s of balloons littering the sky to show just how loved their relative / friend was.

HadEnough2023 · 27/05/2023 09:09

Ironic isn't it replace grief with more grief of killing wildlife & peoples animals needlessly. Confused
I've lost three children and never entered my mind to do a balloon release, there's much better ways of doing things without killing other things.

GulesMeansRed · 27/05/2023 09:12

Also the practice of leaving tributes on the roadside where someone has died - plastic wrapping on flowers, teddies, balloons etc.

LlynTegid · 27/05/2023 09:12

If you are going to ban it, which would be reasonable, you need to have an effective sanction. Not a fine, not a prison sentence. Perhaps withdraw a passport or driving licence for a period of time.

MrsSkylerWhite · 27/05/2023 09:12

SunnySaturdayMorning · Today 08:56
You can beg all you like. I’m still going to do it”

Just, why? Don’t you care about wildlife at all?

Bluelightbaby · 27/05/2023 09:12

As other people have mentioned, if someone dumped a load of balloons they would be prosecuted for fly tipping but releases are apparently seen as being different ?? They’re not it’s littering and harmful to the environment.

you have to be fairly ignorant to not realise that !

Everydayimhuffling · 27/05/2023 09:12

I actually think helium balloons should be banned completely. Helium is an important medical supply and it's absolutely bananas that we throw away huge amounts on balloons all the time.

DustyLee123 · 27/05/2023 09:13

I agree.

Everydayimhuffling · 27/05/2023 09:14

If we're thinking about sanctions, surely community service in the form of litter picking would be most appropriate?

goodkidsmaadhouse · 27/05/2023 09:14

YANBU at all OP. The strange thing is that the people I’ve known to do them are also people that wouldn’t drop litter. It’s as if they think the balloons just magically disappear in the sky.

maranella · 27/05/2023 09:15

I wholeheartedly agree @Newspeaker.

My heart sank when I saw that huge balloon release that happened yesterday for the two boys who died in Cardiff. How can people STILL be so ignorant and not realise that those fucking balloons are just litter, they damage the environment, they endanger wildlife and they DO NOT go up to heaven!!

I can't believe that they're still allowed Angry

Original poster
Newspeaker · 27/05/2023 09:15

Chasingadvice · 27/05/2023 08:59

I don't like them either but begging on mumsnet isn't going to do anything.

I beg to differ. MN reaches a very large number of people. If I make even a few of them think twice it's been worth it.
Cows die, horses die, wild animals die. They die in agony, gasping for air or with excruciating gut pain. Picture that @SunnySaturdayMorning next time you send trash off into the sky. If you have pets - how would you feel about that happening to one of them?

OP posts:
caringcarer · 27/05/2023 09:15

Begging on MN won't help. More education around this is the only answer. Personally I think lighting a candle is the way to go.

ICalledYouLastNightFromGlasgow · 27/05/2023 09:16

SunnySaturdayMorning · 27/05/2023 08:56

You can beg all you like. I’m still going to do it.

This is why they should be illegal- because some people refuse to limit their own behaviours for the greater good.

caringcarer · 27/05/2023 09:16

Planting a tree would be a lovely way to remember someone.

Original poster
Newspeaker · 27/05/2023 09:16

HadEnough2023 · 27/05/2023 09:09

Ironic isn't it replace grief with more grief of killing wildlife & peoples animals needlessly. Confused
I've lost three children and never entered my mind to do a balloon release, there's much better ways of doing things without killing other things.

I'm so very sorry for your loss x

OP posts:
Nitgel · 27/05/2023 09:17

People are idiots, I don't get balloon arches either, such a waste and people forever giving them away on facebook.

drpet49 · 27/05/2023 09:17

GulesMeansRed · 27/05/2023 09:12

Also the practice of leaving tributes on the roadside where someone has died - plastic wrapping on flowers, teddies, balloons etc.

I agree, I mean why you would want a memorial at the place your loved on died. It’s bizarre

CoreyTaylorsSoggyTshirt · 27/05/2023 09:17

When a young life was lost in this area the family organised a litter pick on the person's favourite beach. It was lovely.

I use bubbles with my dc on my childrens anniversaries, we whisper messages into the bubbles and my little ones blow them up to heaven, their siblings have got their messages when the bubbles pop.

I've also heard of people do little random acts of kindness as a tribute to their loved ones. Someone else started a fairy garden in the woods where they live which is now added to and enjoyed by hundreds.

If people need a gathering they could get together and sing, or light candles, or gather and write messages/memories for the parents/loved ones to keep.

There's a million things that could be done.

I would love it if they were made illegal.

Justcallmebebes · 27/05/2023 09:17

Couldn't agree more

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 27/05/2023 09:17

GulesMeansRed · 27/05/2023 09:12

Also the practice of leaving tributes on the roadside where someone has died - plastic wrapping on flowers, teddies, balloons etc.

There's one of these near me - directly opposite a field of horses. It makes me angry every time I see it. Why does anyone need to staple balloons to a fence on a country road? There's no footpath so it's not like anyone can go and sit there and reminisce. Pointless.

CherryCokeFanatic · 27/05/2023 09:17

Why are you so determined to police people’s emotions and expressions of grief

DogInATent · 27/05/2023 09:18

It's a waste of helium too, which is essential for certain medical equipment and a non-renewable resource that will eventually run out.

Trinityloop · 27/05/2023 09:18

The problem is that the issue only comes up when people are grieving usually thus its hard to challenge. I've personally found a bird with a wing injury (the string presumably formed part of the nest which wrapped round the wing, stunting its growth) that had to be put to sleep. The kicker was the string had a card with the remembering "name" on it, but ive never told that family or publicly named it so they'd have no idea. Its also not something grieving families receive well.

The other thing is that people are fooled by the biodegradable balloons but don't realise that there isn't a rule on how long this might take before you can call it biodegradable. It might take many years or a shorter time only in the right environment eg 2 years but only in soil, if it lands on tarmac or water it could be about much longer. Even if it degraded reliably in months no matter where it lands (and the string etc also was degradable which is often the damaging part, and the part people forget) that's long enough for something to digest it, get tangled etc.

Balloons blow (irc) have good alternatives

Often people want the movement part so things like flower releases into river, seas etc. Sometimes coloured smoke things, sending a paper boat (in small amounts) or message on wafer paper into water, are good replacements. My personal favourite is writing on sand for the sea to take away in a wave

More permanent ideas are things like tree planting, benches, seed bombs type things

It's about recognising that it's hurt people trying to connect with something and giving them a less harmful alternative so their kids name doesn't end up tied to a dead bird