Balloon and party association BAPIA (Balloon and Party Industry Alliance) has taken the decision to officially announce that it does not support balloon releases. The move comes in the wake of numerous bans taking place in various councils, cities and countries across the globe, including the UK.
BAPIA’s decision to no longer support balloon releases has been made following recent a survey of its members, with the result based on the 150+ responses received.
Both EBPC (European Balloon and Party Council) www.ebpcouncil.eu and PEBA (Pro Environment Balloon Alliance) www.peba.com.au have taken similar stances and now BAPIA is adding its voice to cause in an effort to protect the balloon industry.
“This decision has been taken based upon the views of our members and the desire to save the balloon industry,” said BAPIA chief executive John Bowler. “With only 37% of respondents showing any support for balloon releases and 70% agreeing that balloon releases create litter we feel that the majority of our members are strongly in favour of this action.”
He continued; “We cannot bury our heads in the sand and pretend it is not happening, it is time to stand up and be counted. We believe that the anti-balloon campaigns are gaining momentum and they are citing litter damage to the environment and wildlife as one of the main reasons. It has to be said that it is an indisputable fact that any balloon release will see the balloons return to earth at some point and create litter. We believe that we have to act now to protect our members and our industry!”
The official statement reads; ‘It is necessary to take pro-active action to thwart the spread of the blanket balloon bans that we are seeing. These are not simply bans on balloon releases but are complete bans on balloons, from helium-filled latex and foils right through to entertainers with twisting balloons.’
BAPIA believes that the only way to protect the balloon industry is to set some standards that will set itself out as an environmentally responsible industry made up of environmentally responsible professionals.
John concluded; “As always, BAPIA is looking to increase the professionalism within the balloon and party industry and is currently looking at a strategy to do this and to help safeguard the future of our members and the industry as a whole.”
