Don't Let Go!
What's the problem with balloons?
When balloons are released, they don’t just disappear.
They float back down to earth where they are the same as any other
litter. But balloons are particularly dangerous pieces of litter. They
are mistaken for food by many species of wildlife, especially turtles.
Once balloons have been eaten they can block digestive systems and
cause animals to starve. The string on balloons can entangle and trap
animals.
What is MCS doing?
We want to get balloon releases stopped.
We encourage all organisations that are planning balloon releases to
choose an event that will not threaten wildlife. We are trying to get
every council to ban balloon releases on their land – many have done so
already.
We do not want to stop people having fun – we just want to protect our vulnerable marine species from more litter.
To learn more about what happens to balloons when they are released and to download our Don’t Let Go leaflets and posters.
Created by j-bar03 on 30 December, 2009
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What a good and informative nag! I didn't know that about balloons, but I've just signed the litter petition. I did hear that when you dispose of plastic six-pack rings you should break them apart in case they end up in the ocean -- maybe that deserves a nag of its own.
Created by siena70 on 30 December, 2009
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Thank you.
On every beach clear and on most litter picks I find balloon debris.
It saddens me that people release balloons on joyous occasions, to promote products or to commemorate victims of disaster. A local school even had a balloon release (one per pupil) to celebrate their "greenness"!!! Surely, if they knew of the effect on wildlife, and marine life in particular, they would not release "airborne litter"
You are quite correct about 6-pack rings which cause untold suffering to seabirds.
And please, don't be fooled by "eco-friendly" balloons. Buy them by all means but don't let go!
Created by j-bar03 on 30 December, 2009
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