More parts of the UK banning sky lanterns and helium balloons

Sky lanterns are being banned in parts of Derbyshire as another local authority cracks down on the environmental hazard.

North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) has introduced a charter to ban the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons on its land, in a move to combat litter and safeguard wildlife.

Sky lanterns, which are sometimes also called Chinese lanterns, are a sort of hot-air balloon made of paper.

The RSPCA say the balloons are a serious danger to animals and the countryside as not only do they take decades to degrade, but do they pose a huge fire risk as once a lantern is lit, nobody knows where it will land.

The charity has long been campaigning for a nationwide ban. The issue has been the subject of public debate recently, with firefighters criticising a ‘misguided’ campaign encouraging the public to light sky lanterns in a show of solidarity for NHS workers during the weekly clap for carers.

The government’s environmental department DEFRA has advised against using the lanterns, though they have stopped short of making them illegal.

They are banned on council land in Wales, but in England it is at the discretion of local authorities.

NEDDC joins over 100 other councils who have implemented a ban on releasing the lanterns on their land, according to Countryside Online.

Councillor Jeremy Kenyon, who is cabinet member for climate change said: ‘This charter is a fantastic step forward for our district. The severe negative impacts of releasing sky lanterns and balloons on the wildlife and environment needs to be stopped.

‘There are many other environmentally friendly ways to celebrate and mark occasions than by releasing objects which cause harm and distress.’

It’s not clear what the consequences will be for any contravention of the rules, Derbyshire Live reports.

The risk posed by sky lanterns was highlighted in January when they were suspected to have caused a fire at a zoo in Germany that killed dozens of monkeys, bats and birds.

As well as the fire risks, the RSPCA says paper lanterns are unsafe for animals and the environment as they can cause injury, suffering and death by ingestion, entanglement and entrapment.

When ingested, sharp parts of the wire frame can tear or puncture an animal’s stomach or throat, leading to internal bleeding.

Alternative ideas to the release of balloons and sky lanterns for celebrations can be found on the RSPCA website here.

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