ENVIRONMENTAL STANCE
With today’s real threat of climate change, we all feel a responsibility to make our activities as environmentally sound as possible. I think this is even more essential when applied to the more frivolous activities in life such as parties and events.
Balloons are a single-use product which are the primary material in my creations so I must be mindful of their manufacture and disposal. I'm not the only one who is concerned because the environmental impact of balloons is often the first topic that is raised by new clients.
I have gathered information and chosen practices that I would like to share with you so that you can trust that my services are environmentally sound.
LATEX BALLOONS ARE NOT PLASTIC
There are cheap balloons for sale that contain plastic but the Qualatex balloons I use are made from 100% natural rubber latex which is a plant based substance made from the sap of the rubber tree. This means that the balloons will biodegrade over time, unlike plastic products.
DECK INSTALLATIONS CONTAIN NO HELIUM
Helium-filled balloons accidentally or intentionally released into the air eventually return as litter which is harmful to wildlife. Latex balloons which end up in the sea take longer to biodegrade causing a potential danger to marine life. All my balloon creations are filled with air, not helium. Air-filled balloons are a fantastic way to eliminate the unintentional release of balloons. This means that the balloons can be disposed of in a controlled and mindful manner.
DECK IS A MEMBER OF PEBA UK (Pro Environment Balloon Alliance).
PEBA UK is the UK arm of a worldwide organisation committed to striking a balance between the balloon industry and environmental responsibility. They provide advice and resources to ensure that balloon professionals can educate themselves and their customers about the responsible use and disposal of balloons.
I ONLY USE The Very Best™ BALLOONS
Qualatex brand balloons only source latex from responsible producers who are committed to environmentally-friendly harvesting, forestry and employment practices. Their suppliers are engaged with conservationists, NGOs, regulatory agencies and other concerned parties to ensure their practices are transparent and helpful to local communities.
"PIN IT & BIN IT"
After balloons have served their purpose, I encourage customers or venues to pop them and put the biodegradable latex material in the bin safely with other general waste. Any balloons I collect myself, I send to Shred Station for mindful disposal. The shredded latex is composted with other biodegradable materials. This speeds up the natural decomposition process. Shred Station Ltd is a certified CarbonNeutral® company (amongst many other accreditations).
