A wildlife charity has said that the negative environmental impact of balloon releases cannot be overstated, as a council has issued a plea to the public to find alternative ways to remember loved ones.
Balloon and lantern releases are often used for events and memorials, and while they are often carried out with good intent, Northumberland County Council does not allow them in its own parks and green spaces. And it has now strongly discouraged people from doing so anywhere in the county, citing that once balloons are released they drop back to earth and animals can get caught in the debris causing injury, illness and suffering.
At the same time, balloons which land on water can end up in the stomachs of marine life. And though biodegradable options are available, they still take months or years to break down and can still cause pain and suffering to wildlife.
