Northumberland County Council is appealing to the public to consider other alternatives to balloon releases which are often used for events and memorials, but can have a devastating impact on local marine environment and wildlife. 
 

While balloon or lantern releases are often carried out with good intent, they also have a long and devastating impact on our environment. 

Once released, they very quickly drop back down to earth with their tattered ends and floating pieces being eaten by marine life, or other animals becoming tangled in the debris causing injury, illness and great suffering. 

Although biodegradable options are available, these still take months or even years to break down and can still cause horrendous painful deaths to animals. 

Meanwhile, lanterns set off in warmer months can travel long distances have been known to present a fire risk.  

During these very difficult times, families have not  always been able to give their loved ones the usual funeral services, full of family and friends, that they had wished,  and so it is only natural that they wish to commemorate their passing in other ways. 

The council is encouraging people to think carefully about other less damaging ways to pay tribute to a loved one such as planting a tree or flower bed, using jam jar lights, or organising  a memorial walk for a chosen charity when the current coronavirus restrictions are eased. 

Northumberland County Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet member for community services said: 

“While many people are aware of the environmental impacts of balloons, a few well-meaning people and organisations do still release them. People assume the term biodegradable means harmless but this is simply not the case. No balloon is environmentally friendly.