Birmingham is the latest UK city to ban balloon releases as the council declares a ‘climate emergency’ and begins its crackdown on single-use plastics.
A number of actions were proposed in order to make Birmingham a ‘plastic free’ city, including banning balloon releases and installing free public water fountains.
The recommendations – which received cross-party support throughout the chamber – followed a scrutiny inquiry into the use of disposable plastic items, which is currently in the spotlight as campaigners highlight the damage they cause to the environment and wildlife.
The proposal to amend the council’s events guide, prohibiting balloon releases on council property, was particularly welcomed, and alternative ideas such as bubble releases were suggested instead.
Labour councillor Karen McCarthy said: “This is something I have been concerned about for some time,” while Green counillor Julien Pritchard was supportive of the proposals, describing plastic as a ‘scourge’ which demanded ‘systematic changes’.
