Alternatives to Balloon Releases - Earth Day 🌍

National Earth Day, celebrated on the 22nd April each year, serves as a conscious reminder of the ways in which we can each care for our precious planet Earth. So today we thought we’d take the time to reiterate our stance on balloon releases:

We understand that in the past balloon releases have been used to commemorate and celebrate special occasions. In lieu of this outdated practise, we’d like to suggest some environmentally-friendly alternatives that should prove equally as impactful without the potentially detrimental effects:

Bubbles
Thousands of bubbles floating skyward offers the same breathtaking beauty as hundreds of balloons but without leaving behind the harmful debris that proves hazardous to wildlife. People often find the feeling of exhaling as they blow a bubble rather therapeutic and what’s more, they’re tonnes of fun for everyone involved from small children to adults. For extra effect, why not mix the size of your bubbles too; you can create your own custom bubble wand out of pipe cleaner, wire coat hangers and other household items. To make a good bubble mix all you'll need is water, washing up liquid and glycerine, just be careful to use soaps that are safe for fish and the environment and never leave children and pets unattended with the mix.

Photo by mali maeder from Pexels

Plant a Tree or Flowers
For a truly environmentally-friendly memorial moment, how about planting a flower or tree?  is a beautiful way to celebrate a life. The act of gardening can be incredibly calming and what more beautiful to celebrate one life than by creating another? You can select a plant or flower that was their favourite or best describes them to make it more personal. They last a lot longer than balloons, will be good for the environment and can be visited again and again. Take care to select seeds that are native to the area to ensure a harmonious environmental impact as well and optimum growth. 

Photo by Flora Westbrook from Pexels 

Fly Kites, Dancing Ribbons and Banners
Skipping a balloon release needn’t mean missing out on the joy of seeing colourful figures dancing in the wind. Instead of balloons, why not fly kites, dance ribbons and banners alongside pinwheels are garden wind spinners to celebrate something or someone special in style. Making your own can be a meaningful bonding experience and is a great way to add a personal touch by using a significant colour, drawing or message for your event. 

Floating Flowers
For a sense of letting go, floating flowers or flower petals down a calm stream can offer the same sense of emotional relief as a balloon release without the plastic pollution. Take care to use native flowers and not let go an excessive amount so as not to upset the ecosystem of the waterway.

Photo by Nubia Navarro (nubikini) from Pexels

Balloon Drop
We understand some customers’ urge to incorporate balloons into special occasions as they, of course, hold a special place in our hearts too. In some circumstances, a balloon drop can provide an equally impactful but environmentally friendly alternative to a release. This is so long as the drop is done in a confined space where the balloons can be easily retrieved once festivities are over so that you may adopt the pin it and bin it strategy; carefully deflating each balloon and ensuring its safe disposal. 

We hope this post has provided you with some useful ideas on ways that we can all do our bit to help planet Earth going forward. Please do share this on so that we can spread the word and keep trying to do right by the environment.

To learn more about balloons and the environment please visit: https://pebauk.co.uk/commitment/