In an open letter to the industry, George Oustayiannis – chairman of NABAS and managing director of GO International – has responded to calls for clarification on NABAS’ official stance on balloons.
A recent spate of bans on balloon releases has seen the international balloon community focus of the issue of single-use plastics in general and balloon releases in particular.
Last week BAPIA announced that, as a professional organisation, it could no longer support the concept of balloon releases in good conscience.
George responded openly and honestly to the situation, saying that; “I know how emotive this topic is, so I apologise in advance for those of you that have a different viewpoint.”
He goes on to explain that NABAS does not support balloon releases, but that it does support its members in their legal right to continue to provide balloon releases if they want to do so – as long as they follow the NABAS Code of Conduct.
He then went on to give a voice to the frustration felt by many in the balloon trade and to emphasise the importance of education to consumers and the media.
Here’s that open letter in full:
“Following BAPIA’s balloon release statement, I’ve had a number of phone calls and messages, so I guess as chairman of NABAS I have to say something! I’m seriously trying to be as supportive and non-critical as possible here as I know how emotive this topic is, so I apologise in advance for those of you that have a different viewpoint. I do respect it and accept your right of opinion.
NABAS is actually about protecting and working with its members. As an association, we aren’t actually “Supporting” Balloon Releases, we are “Supporting” our members in their LEGAL RIGHT of continuing with balloon releases if they so desire. This is with the strict proviso that any release is fully compliant with the NABAS Code of Conduct.
The way the balloon release debacle is being handled by our industry is disappointing to say the least. It’s always interesting how we grab onto snippets that suit our actual point of view and in so doing totally miss the bigger picture. Anti-balloon lobbyists are telling the world that the issue of balloon releases and the impact on our environment is getting worse, yet any balloon professional worth their salt will tell you that worldwide, there are fewer releases than ever before! We can therefore determine, that the “perceived issue” clearly isn’t balloon releases, consequently, how long will it take for our ecowarrior friends to realise that despite what I see as an imminent ban, due to our industries failure to work as a cohesive unit, balloon releases weren’t the problem after all! It’s single foil balloons or latex balloons with ribbons, released by individuals that must be the real problem, as we are still finding them on beaches and in hedgerows culling the animal kingdom! Let’s just Ban Balloons, and while we are at it, let’s ban the sale of helium as after all, it’s a finite resource that should only be used for medical equipment to save lives!! (not true by the way, as I hope every one of you knows?).
The European Balloon and Party Council openly states that since 1885 (133 YEARS) ONLY 6 animal deaths can be attributed to latex , SIX IN 133 YEARS!! Compare this to the 100,000 mammals and 1,000,000 birds that are killed EVERY YEAR from plastic waste! EBC go on to say: “Unfortunately, we have also found evidence of misleading claims and repeated instances of the same photograph, or pictures that have been doctored and used for bad publicity of balloons”. We also know that there are countries facing a total ban on every kind of balloon air or helium filled. Yet here we are believing that jumping on the Ban Balloon Release Band Wagon our industry will be saved.
Our findings must be based on fact, and our ability to educate the general public, as is evident by my interview on BBC radio on Monday 14 May. We have Councillors openly stating that the PRIMARY reason for banning releases is that we shouldn’t be wasting helium! The public (and many in our industry) are being swayed by inaccurate information. Take a look at the current petition before parliament and the supporting evidence as to why balloon releases should be banned. Every balloon related link clearly shows that the damaging result is because of an incorrectly released balloon and the ribbon attached to it. I’d also hazard a guess that the balloons in question weren’t actually part of any balloon release. So do you really think the ban balloon release supporters will suddenly go away if correctly implemented releases are banned?
There is much need for education, so our accusers can judge us on fact not fiction. There’s’ also a need to understand that as a balloon professional latex is without doubt the very least of our concerns with regard to our global footprint. Just to give you a very limited list of what we should be more concerned about if we truly care about our environment: foil balloons, plastic balloons, cups and sticks, mono filament, packaging, balloon weights, framework, curling ribbon, plastic tableware, transportation… In fact, look around your work area right now and list all the non-biodegradable items you can see. So yes, we produce litter and the only actual biodegradable one we use is the one being given up for sacrifice!
Last week a little girl was in a party shop with her mother, and she was asked if she wanted a balloon. The little girl replied, ‘No Mummy, they kill turtles!’ Balloon Industry R.I.P.
NABAS, BAPIA, EBPC, PEBA and of course the manufacturers and indeed all of us have a voice and a roll to play. So far it’s not been utilised that well. As mentioned in my opening paragraph above I respect all your views and irrespective of your particular stance or alliance I wish you health, happiness and success in all you do.”
