Bubbles beat balloons

Longniddry Primary School:

Bubbles beat balloons

Longniddry teacher, Yvonne Hart, could not have imagined that a chance find of a balloon tag, at Canty Bay would lead to a community campaign.

“A few years ago, I’m sure we would have been excited that this might be an opportunity for the children to write to the school on the label. I knew my class would be anxious that this was part of the plastic pollution on our beaches and seas,” said the P4 class teacher.

Delta Sym of P4 explained “we found out that balloon rubbish is causing problems for wildlife and sea creatures so we decided we should make a campaign called Bubbles beat Balloons.”

In fact it is estimated that 10% of all balloons released do not burst but float back down to earth where they pose a danger to wild animals. The Marine Conservation Society UK say that dolphins, whales and seabirds have all been killed by balloons. Turtles are particularly at risk as they mistake the plastic remnants for jellyfish. If swallowed, the plastic sticks in the animal’s gut and causes it to starve. It is not just the balloon which is problematic but the attached ribbons, valves and labels. Birds and animals can become entangled in the plastic ribbon and are then unable to feed or move. Even supposedly bio-degradable balloons can in fact take several years to break down.

Over the past 10 years, the Marine Conservation Society estimates the amount of balloon debris found on our beaches has tripled.

Concerned by their research of the environmental impact of mass balloon releases, the Longniddry youngsters were shocked to learn that the tag found by their teacher was just one tiny example of a huge world-wide problem.

“It horrifies me when I see the amount of pollution in our oceans” says Tamaro Oria, who represents the school’s media group. “Part of that is leftover rubbish from mass balloon releases.”

Pupils began to notice balloon debris on their local beach at Longniddry as well as in the wider community. Setting a good example and to avoid endangering wildlife in the school grounds, the caring pupils changed their annual P7 water fight to a weapons only battle, avoiding the plastic balloon water bombs.

Celebrating their award of silver status in UNICEF’s Rights Respecting School’s scheme, the school had an opportunity to hold a mass bubble release back in June and used the occasion to promote their campaign.

Refreshed after their holidays the pupils soon turned to campaigning once more and enlisted the help of the Marine Conservation Society (Scotland) who visited the school and led workshops on the topic of plastic pollution. Rolling out their campaign to the village, the school’s pupil voice group presented the case to Longniddry Community Council who backed the youngsters. Several local businesses and organisations, including the local church, the Co-op and Gosford Estate have signed the campaign’s pledge, agreeing not to use balloons as outdoor decorations for displays or promotions.

Events turned global when P5 found out that Melbourne Zoo in Australia has been championing the same campaign under the name Bubbles Not Balloons.

Cara Burns, P5 rep of the Press Pack said,“When we found out the zoo in Victoria had this campaign we were delighted so we asked them if they would join up with us!” Her classmate, Logan Chiole told us, “we were astonished that a zoo on the other side of the world were trying to do the same as us and now they have also signed our pledge!”

To join the pupils of Longniddry Primary in their cause, follow the campaign on Twitter: @longniddryps.

Longniddry Primary's 'Bubbles Beat Balloons' campaign!