A new primary school in Powys, Wales, has been criticised after it released helium balloons into the air to mark its official opening, despite proudly positioning itself as a ‘Green’ school.
A video posted online (which has now been removed) showed around 50 balloons released into the air at the new Clyro Church in Wales Primary School near Hay-On-Wye on Monday 11 June.
Critics of balloon releases – which includes big balloon industry names EBPC, BAPIA and Pioneer Europe – point out that they create litter in the environment which can potentially cause problems for animals and other wildlife.
In response to the outcry, the school issued a statement, saying: “The headteacher and chair of the governing body personally ensured that the balloons are biodegradable, as well as the tags that were attached to the balloons.”
Emily Durrant, Powys County Council’s only Green Party councillor, said she was ‘extremely disappointed’ at the school’s decision to mark it’s opening with a balloon release, but believed the school had been a victim of misinformation regarding biodegradable materials.
“I believe this was planned in good faith, which is hardly surprising given the amount of misinformation regarding biodegradable materials at the moment,” she explained. “While ‘biodegradable’ can be a big improvement, it depends on the type and the method of disposal and processing. The best way forward is not to produce the waste in the first place, by reducing consumption or changing the way we shop.”
Of the 22 local councils in Wales, 16 have already banned balloon releases on public ground. Powys banned the release of sky lanterns on council-owned or managed land in 2015, but has no such ban on releasing balloons.
