Balloons & The Environment
Balloons & the Environment
As a Member of the Pro-Environmental Balloon Alliance (PEBA) :
- No Balloon Releases – Members of PEBA do not support, or condone, nor will they facilitate the deliberate release of balloons.
- Responsible Use and Disposal of Balloons – Members will follow responsible practices regarding the uses and disposal of all balloons.
- Education – PEBA members will continue to educate the general public, clients and venue managers on the importance of not releasing balloons into the environment and correct use and disposal.
- Awareness – Members are requested, where possible, to include a link to PEBA on their website, invoices or email signature to help raise awareness.
- Community – Members are asked to notify PEBA if they become aware of any environmental issue, pertaining to balloons, or are having any difficulties dealing with anyone in regards to environmental issues.
PEBA is committed to:
- Working together with Balloon Professionals, Environmental Groups, Government and the Media to ban the organised, deliberate release of balloons and to educate our customers and the public on the responsible use and disposal of balloons.
- Establishing and maintaining a website where all members’ details are listed listed. The website will be regularly updated with relevant information and will be able to be used as a resource for Industry Associations and individual members. Under certain circumstances, it will all so be used as a referral point for Environmental Groups, Government and the Media.
- Members will electronically receive Membership Certificates, Email Signatures etc and continual updates in regards to all matters environmental.
Latex Balloons and the Environment
When used responsibly, balloons bring a great deal of colour, fun and excitement to the world.
The biodegradability of latex is being studied scientifically worldwide. Latex balloons are made from natural rubber which is a renewable resource and biodegradable, however we do not want balloons to be littering the environment.
The most important actions we can take are:
- To support effective legislation to ban deliberate organised balloon releases
- Educate customers and the public on the responsible use and disposal of balloons
A number of latex balloon manufacturers source the natural latex used to make their balloons from Rainforest Alliance Certified Plantations.
The Rainforest Alliance is a growing network of farmers, foresters, communities, scientists, governments, environmentalists and businesses. This network is dedicated to conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.
The Rainforest Alliance are an international, non-profit organization working to build strong forests, healthy agricultural landscapes and thriving communities through creative and pragmatic collaboration.
Rubber Trees (Hevea Braziliensis)
Latex is a natural product obtained by tapping Rubber Trees.
- Rubber Trees are an ancient rainforest species originally from the Amazon Jungle in Brazil.
- Chico Mendes, a Brazilian rubber tapper, became famous when he organised the National Council of Rubber Tappers in Brazil to help protest against the clear cutting of land for cattle grazing. Thanks to his efforts, vast areas of “extractive reserves” were set aside, within Brazil. These reserves allow for the sustainable harvest of goods, such as rubber or nuts, and protect against the clear cutting of trees. In 1988 Chico Mendes was murdered by a cattle rancher because of his work to protect the rainforest and the “extractive reserves. His work has been carried on by his co-workers and supporters around the world.
- The maintenance and planting of rubber trees has a significant impact on reducing climate change. Carbon sequestration is achieved through the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and its conversion into cellulose and organic matter. The amount of carbon sequestered in one hectare of a 31 year old stand of rubber trees is 596 Megatonnes.
- Four Rubber Trees counteract the environmental footprint of an average person from a middle income society.
- A single Rubber Tree, during its lifetime, counteracts the carbon emissions from a car being driven 36,000 kilometres.
- Rubber plantations are able to sell carbon offsets to a country that emits carbon above agreed-upon l