PEBA UK has been set up as a UK arm of the original Australian organisation PEBA to encourage UK balloon professionals to take a stance on balloon releases and to educate the public in the environmental dangers of releasing balloons.
The initial set up of PEBA UK has been funded by BAPIA, who believes it is critical that the balloon industry takes action to protect itself for many years to come.
The UK initiative has been generated by four of the current committee members: Aimee Smith, Natalie Saunders, Mike Hurst and John Bowler, who have now been joined by Greg Brown and Bob Armstrong, both of whom have a well-established stance on balloon releases.
PEBA UK has made a commitment to:
– Work together with balloon professionals, environmental groups, government and the media to eliminate the organised, deliberate release of balloons and to educate customers and the public on the responsible use and disposal of balloons.
– Establish and maintain a website where all members’ details are listed. The website will be regularly updated with relevant information and will be used as a resource for industry associations and individual members, as well as a referral point for environmental groups, government and the media.
– Members will receive membership certificates, email signatures and continual updates in regards to all matters environmental.
“We want to educate those within the industry and the general public that releasing balloons can cause environmental damage and this could ultimately result in irreparable damage to our industry,” commented BAPIA chairman John Bowler. “Now is the time to take action and help protect the balloon industry and see it thrive.”
You can sign up to PEBA at www.pebauk.co.uk and join the Facebook group.
