33 local councils agree to ban release of balloons during public events

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the NGO Clean Up Malta and 33 local councils banning the release of balloons during public events and implementing measures for more environmentally friendly localities across Malta.

The 33 councils were represented in the signing by the Malta Local Councils' Association.  Clean Up Malta was meanwhile represented by its founder and environmentalist Camilla Appelgren.

With this agreement, these local councils will be proactive to reduce the negative environmental effects of using masses of balloons or plastic confetti during activities organised by the council, or by other local entities, groups or individuals.  Indeed, the release of balloons will be totally banned and the councils will not approve any permits without a declaration from the organiser that balloons will not be used.

The MoU read that there was an understanding that there should be more environmental consciousness and that the use of balloons can be eliminated and replaced by other means and materials that can equally be used to commemorate or celebrate an event.

Some of these alternatives are for instance balloons made of soap, kites, flags, banners, streamers and inflatables.  Other suggestions included that recycled bottles be used, and that any pompoms be made from recycled material, along with the giving of plant seeds as commemoration of an event and the planting of more trees and plants in each respective locality.

The MoU also stated that the council was responsible for the necessary cleaning after confetti is used during activities, and that it was also responsible for bringing the pro-environmental principles of this agreement to light with entities within the locality such as band clubs.

Speaking after the signing of the MoU through her Facebook page, Appelgren was full of praise for the councils who had united to sign the memorandum, and also called for more local councils to partake in this agreement; "there are no 'if's in this, only facts", she said, before adding that "balloon releases are nothing else than littering and should be prevented and going forward also more clearly stated as forbidden in the law of Malta."

 

from The Malta Independent https://ift.tt/2R40WDg
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