Balloon Releases

What goes up must come down, and balloons are a really good example of items that can travel long distances from their original location and many find their way into the oceans where they have been found to be a threat to marine life and seabirds through entanglement and ingestion.

There are many ways that businesses can market their products that don’t have the potential to kill or injure marine life, but in many instances the impact isn’t thought of when the decision is made to use promotional balloons.

These balloons were all found in the Daintree National Park beaches after they had landed in the Great Barrier Reef and washed up. All companies have been contacted and made aware of this issue, and asked to review their company policy on promotional activities and balloons.

If you find a promotional balloon, please send us a photo of the item and let us know when and where you found it. Also consider using our Balloon Release Action Guide to notify the company of where you found it, and more environmentally alternatives they could use for promoting their business.

If you are a business using promotional balloons check out these alternatives.

Mass Balloon Ban Town of Victoria Park

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The Town of Victoria Park in Western Australia has decided to ban the mass release of helium balloons at town events. Local residents expressed concerns about their impact on the environment after a council event included a mass release of balloons earlier this year. On April 15th, 2015 council voted 7-1 in favour to the balloon release ban after tow public consulations meeting had been held, showing overwhelming support by the community in the law.

To listen to an interview with Trevor Vaughan – Mayor of the Town of Victoria Park visit theage.com.au

City of Fremantle Balloon Ban Campaign

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Article from www.watoday.com.au
Environmentalist Lisa Hills is mounting a one-woman campaign to get the City of Fremantle to ban latex balloons in the port city to protect marine life. Lisa Hills Interview

Ms Hills said she decided to start an online petition because she became alarmed by the handful of balloon particles she was collecting each week from stores near South Beach.

The WA Seabird Rescue volunteer said most people were unaware of the damage the latex balloons posed to the environment and marine animals, which Ms Hills claimed could die as a result of them.

“I know the damage latex balloons can cause to wildlife and the environment,” she said. “Each day I would pass a store near to my home that put up around 50 latex balloons a day. This store is also very close to the ocean.”

Reducing Balloon Releases Through Church Networks

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Balloon releases are often associated with memorials or celebrations, which can be hard to get changed at the last minute, which is normally when we hear about them! Rev Linda Chapman Rector from the Anglican Parish of Moruya & Open Sanctuary at Tilba in southern NSW has launched a new education campaign through her church networks to explain to clergy members and celebrants the impacts that balloon releases have on the environment and some great alternatives.

Rev Chapman has shared her letter with Tangaroa Blue Foundation to inspire others in finding ways of reducing balloon releases during these kind of events. Please see her letter below.

Help us raise awareness

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The remains of helium balloons are commonly found on Australia’s beaches, posing an unnecessary and avoidable risk to wildlife. Check out the Facts About Balloons to learn more. Individuals around the country are doing their bit to fight this inappropriate fashion. You can help us prevent balloon releases.

Often, integrating a balloon release in a promotional event or private celebration happens not from a lack of care, but from a lack of awareness. If you hear that a business or private group is planning a balloon release or if you found a balloon with promotional print you can take action by sending the person in charge a letter bringing the issue to their attention. Check out our Balloon Release Action Guide for instructions and letter templates.

To prevent planned balloon releases invite others to send letters of concern too and contact info@tangaroablue.org for professional support.

Bye bye, balloons

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You might have heard about the devastating effect balloons can have in the environment: Air filled balloons can get carried away by the wind and helium balloons sometimes travel hundreds of kilometres. But when they return to earth, marine and terrestrial animals can ingest them and die from clogged intestines. If there was a string attached to the balloon, this might wrap around limbs or necks and slowly strangle its victim. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do something about it? Fact is, that many people responsible for balloon use and releases have no intention to do any harm and are simply unaware of the consequences of their actions.

With our Balloon Release Action Guide we have now made it easier for individuals to raise awareness.