Lincoln business urges national ban on balloon releases

A Lincoln balloon seller refused an order for 200 balloons and has called for a national ban on balloon releases because of their environmental and wildlife impacts; industry and conservation groups say released balloons create dangerous litter and more than 100 UK local authorities already ban releases.

Naomi Spittles, a balloon seller in Lincoln, says she refuses to serve customers who plan to release balloons. She turned down an order for 200 balloons for a memorial and has called for a national ban. Her concern is the environmental impact and the danger that released balloons pose to wildlife. Industry and conservation organisations have also raised concerns about balloon litter. Reported details: - Naomi Spittles, 32, from Lincoln refused a 200-balloon order and has urged a national ban on releases. - NABAS, which represents the balloon and party industry, said it does not support the release of helium balloons and that released balloons create unwanted and sometimes dangerous litter on land and at sea. - The Marine Conservation Society says more than 100 local authorities across the UK have banned balloon or lantern releases. - In 2024, 44% of the Marine Conservation Society's beach cleans recorded balloon litter; the charity's data showed an increase in balloon litter until 2018, when it reached 69% of surveyed beaches. - The RSPCA's Evie Button said deflated balloons or fragments can be mistaken for food and reported that ingesting them "can cause a slow death" to wild birds and mammals, and that attached strings can strangle. - Lincolnshire County Council has banned balloon and lantern releases on council land and adopted highways since 2020, while East Riding of Yorkshire Council said there is no ban but releases are strongly advised against. Summary: The local seller's refusal and call for a national ban highlights wider concern about balloon litter and risks to birds and marine life reported by conservation groups. Some local authorities already restrict releases on public land, but any national policy change is undetermined at this time.