In 2013 the Government commissioned a study on balloon and sky lantern releases. This report is now out of date! In March 2017 Marine Conservation Society reported a 53% increase in balloon litter, up on 2015. 'Biodegradable' balloons are not the solution. All balloons and ribbons snare / kill farm, wild and marine life and take "as long as an Oak leaf to rot". Ask any good tree surgeon and they will tell you an Oak leaf takes at least four years to start rotting.

Sky lanterns are dangerous - they cause fire, damage and are a risk to life. The NFU, MCS and 50 UK local councils want balloon / sky lantern releases banned.

Here is a link to the UK Government Petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/215782

USEFUL LINKS

2013 UK Government DEFRA & Welsh Government Report: http://bit.ly/2GcuEU0

Time to back balloon releases
http://www.xray-mag.com/content/time-back-banning-balloon-releases

Marine Conservation Society Information Sheet
https://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/pollution/dont%20let%20go.pdf

‘Nowhere is safe’: Young horse panicked by helium balloon suffers broken neck: http://bit.ly/2oV72r4

Farmer wins compensation after Red Nose Day balloon kills cow
http://bit.ly/2pu813a

Smethwick fire: Chinese lantern 'caused largest blaze'
http://bbc.in/2FY6SaX

Bunch of balloons in Billericay halts trains in their tracks http://bbc.in/2BSrdjy

'Just a balloon? A local study of the extent and impacts of balloon litter and beaches'.
http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/sites/default/files/resources/15913_Journal%20of%20Litter%20and%20Environmental%20Quality_v7-online.pdf