Please don’t release balloons or fire lanterns. Around 70% of them land in the sea, after exploding in the air (it takes 6 months for latex balloons to biodegrade). They look a sea turtle’s favourite fish of jellyfish, who then eats them and dies. If they end up on land, cattle get belly ulcers if they accidentally eat them. One horse in Yorkshire recently died from choking on balloon string, leaving her guardian devastated and heartbroken.
You can find info on how to stop a balloon release including sample letters. One thing to note is that ‘biodegradable balloons’ are no less deadly, as they break down, to be eaten by wildlife.
If you use balloons, use indoors or tie securely with raffia/jute and dispose of responsibly (don’t leave string/ribbon in garden, as birds take it back to nests, who then choke or strangle). After use, deflate balloons slowly with scissors (near the knot) and bin securely (these and bouncy balls are also choking hazards). All balloons are a choking hazard for pets and children – you can’t even give CPR if a child choked, as the balloon would expand inside the throat).
If you wonder what the metal items are on streets (looking like the insides of soda syphons), they are nitrous oxide containers, used to get people high from laughing gas. These are often inhaled through balloons, which are also littered, leading to killing wildlife. Most of the nitrous oxide containers are sold with balloons, so end up getting eaten by wildlife.
Fire lanterns are fire hazards (one German zoo recently had several animals die, when one dropped into an enclosure). They have metal spikes that fall to the sea or ground, and are often mistaken for coastal flares, putting coastguard and lifeboat crew lives at risk.
Alternatives to Balloons & Lanterns
- Organise a nature walk in memory of a loved one. You could raise money for a good cause, at the same time (go for a local charity).
- There are many companies that offer services to do something in memory. Like naming a star in the galaxy after someone, ideal for sentimentalists.
- Ask your local place of worship to hold a service, then just collectively give a donation. Far more meaningful and nothing harmed.
- Hire a compassionate clown. Ask them not to use balloons. They do not use use live animals.
- Plant a celebration tree or memorial tree, avoiding toxic plants and trees near pets and horses (and the option of planting in public forests, if you can’t plant certain trees near animal friends).
Use Bunting Over Balloons
This beautiful bunting made from rescued books is made from a copy of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. It also makes a lovely gift for the bookish or nature-loving recipient. In 1906 Edith Holden recorded in words and paintings the flora and fauna of the British countryside through the seasons, featured here.
The bunting has square ‘pages’ and is designed to be viewed from one side only (so not really suitable for outdoor use). It’s sold ready to hang on 3 metres of cream yarn (as opposed to the photo) and extends to almost 3ft if placed end to end – enough to spread the flags out. The flags you receive may differ slightly, as they are all obviously unique pages. Whichever flags you receive, expect autumn papers with pretty leaves, nuts, berries and toadstools, along with beautiful seasonal writing. The bunting is threaded with rescued cream wool, that would otherwise go to landfill.
Kites can wrap around bird necks and feet, and even slice off wings. Expert advice is to not fly kites, as they cause harm in the air, on land and at sea. If you use them, use biodegradable kites (avoid at dawn/dusk when birds more likely flying).
Dove and butterfly releases are also not good. Most die after release, as they can’t survive in the wild. Did you know that during the Seoul Olympic ceremony, all of the doves released flew into the Olympic torch?
This beautiful bunting made from rescued books is made from a copy of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. It also makes a lovely gift for the bookish or nature-loving recipient. In 1906 Edith Holden recorded in words and paintings the flora and fauna of the British countryside through the seasons, featured here.
The bunting has square ‘pages’ and is designed to be viewed from one side only (so not really suitable for outdoor use). It’s sold ready to hang on 3 metres of cream yarn (as opposed to the photo) and extends to almost 3ft if placed end to end – enough to spread the flags out. The flags you receive may differ slightly, as they are all obviously unique pages. Whichever flags you receive, expect autumn papers with pretty leaves, nuts, berries and toadstools, along with beautiful seasonal writing. The bunting is threaded with rescued cream wool, that would otherwise go to landfill.
Recycled bunting is one of the best alternative ideas, to replace balloons. Although most are made from ‘biodegradable latex’, it still takes around 6 months (the same as an oak leaf) to biodegrade. Before that happens, most explode mid-air. 30% drop to the ground (some get eaten by grazing livestock). And as we are an island, 70% land in the sea and get eaten by sea turtles, as they think they are jellyfish (their favourite food). A horse recently choked to death on some balloon string in Yorkshire, leaving her guardian heartbroken. You can notify Marine Conservation Council of upcoming balloon releases, and they will try to educate the organisers, to stop them.
If you have to use balloons, avoid helium metallic balloons. Use balloons indoors, tie with biodegradable jute (not nylon string) and pop after use (pop as near to the knot as possible to avoid a bang). Then dispose of securely (they are even a choking hazard for pets and children – you can’t even give CPR if a child choked, as the balloon would expand inside the throat). Just don’t use them, and find alternative ways to celebrate
These solar-powered sun jars are really pretty. Just leave them near daylight for a few hours, and at night they turn into beautiful glowing lights, nothing else required. The jar gives off a ‘dappled sunlight’ appearance through the frosted waterproof glass. They are also a great way to display the wares in small shops at night, without worrying about electricity bills. Choose from a yellow, blue or pink light. Once charged, they will glow for up to 5 hours in the dark. You can even use them as battery-free nightlights for children, who are afraid of the dark.
The jars have no switch. They simply use a light sensor to switch on and off automatically. So it must be dark, for the light on the sun jar to come on. The jar contains an efficient solar cell, a rechargeable battery and LED lamp, so works best outside or near sunny window. If the weather is overcast, you may need to charge the lamp for a few days.
If you are planning a celebration and there’s no sun, there is the back-up option of using a standard AA rechargeable battery (never use a non-rechargeable battery) instead, still safer than a fire lantern. Just replace it for the solar panel in the lid. To remove moisture build-up, just empty out the water under the lid, and replace.
These also make a great alternative to fire lanterns, which are a fire hazard (several animals recently died in a German zoo, after one dropped into their enclosure). If the metal spikes land in the sea while burning, coastguards often mistake them for flares, and call out the lifeguards, putting lives at risk for no reason. In hot weather, they also cause wildfires, harming wildlife, land and putting firefighter safety at risk.
Just use a few of these instead, for a safe and eco-friendly way to have a celebration, with no wildlife harmed. For an alternative way to produce ‘glowing lights in lanterns’, then pop over to Patch of the Planet (the end of this post on dangers to wildlife of fire lanterns, offers a homemade wildlife-friendly alternative involving sand and tea lights).
Frugi sells organic cotton party dresses
These green ideas for children’s parties prove that you don’t have to be a party pooper, just to throw a less polluting party for little ones. All children love a party, and there are plenty of alternatives to releasing balloons and letting McDonald’s fill them up with junk .
Did you know that the average birthday party for a child now costs £300, with some parents spending £800? Mamalina writes that it’s time to move (back) to a time when ‘pass the parcel’ and homemade cake made the day.
- Forget the plastic and invest in some reusable cutlery which is made from biodegradable materials like bamboo or corn.
- Party Kit Network offers hire kits of reusable plates, bowls and cups. Just give them back, at end of use.
- Violet Pickles & Alice Palace sells recycled party invites
- Eco Party Bags & Little Otter Party Supplies both sell pre-filled party bags with plastic-free goodies. Think colouring pencils, wooden ladybird keyrings and wildflower seed packets to save the bees (see make your garden safe for pets, to avoid toxic plants near animal friends).
- Consider a zero waste picnic.
- Hire a compassionate clown. Some do use balloons (so ask them not to). But these trained actors offer oodles of fun, with no live animals.
- Conscious Craft sells nontoxic face paint that is free from animal ingredients, and washes off with soap and water. Eco Glitter Fun is a biodegradable alternative to toxic plastic glitter, which prevents microplastics in our waterways.
- Expert advice is to not fly kites, as string can choke or strangle birds in the air. If you use them, choose biodegradable kites (slightly less dangerous) and avoid at dawn and dusk, when birds are flying.
Forget balloons (harmful to wildlife) and use pretty bunting. If you use balloons, use indoors or tie securely with raffia/jute and dispose of responsibly (don’t leave string/ribbon in garden, as birds take it back to nests, who then choke or strangle). After use, deflate balloons slowly with scissors (near the knot) and bin securely (these and bouncy balls are also choking hazards).
Give Ronald a Miss
We’ve all heard that in ‘normal life’, parents often take their children to have a party at McDonald’s. Due to recent criticism, McDonald’s has now committed to removing hard plastic toys from their stores, though you could be more ambitious and be like Tavistock (the town that saw off McDonald’s).
The website states that if you hire McDonald’s for a party for up to 10 children, they get 10 Happy Meals (a main of burger or nuggets, a side of French fries, salad or apple slices – you can guess which one they’ll choose! – and a drink). Obviously a children’s party is not about eating muesli, but there are better options out there. The firm then include goodie bags for each child, invites, placemats, party hats, a birthday cake with candles, ice cream and a special gift for the Birthday Child from Ronald McDonald (a US actor who left due to being unhappy about promoting ‘happy cows’ and is now a vegetarian campaigner)
The corporate branding is just as disturbing. There is something almost North Korean about it: everyone who has a birthday always has to go to the same place owned by the same brand, where the same ‘man’ celebrates your birthday. It’s all a bit surreal and creepy. And if there is an allergic or vegan child who attends, he or she can’t ‘join the party’ without forgoing food (as you’re not allowed to bring anything extra). And if you do eat it, you must sign a Release of Harm form so if a child chokes, it’s not their fault.
On the other hand, the ‘shaming’ of parents who use the brand is just as bad. Obviously one reason they are used is because McDonald’s makes huge profits, so it’s a more affordable option than hiring your own community centre and buying everything separately. Why not go back to your own childhood and do what all the kids love: put on a fun kids’ CD, and play musical chairs?
