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A balloon release is a well-established  activity within the baby loss community. We associate balloons with children and there's something lovely about releasing a balloon and seeing it head skyward, and feeling as though it is delivering a message to our baby or child.  

The baby loss community is becoming increasingly aware of the impact that balloons have on our environment.

There are alternative activities that might have less impact on the environment (blowing bubbles, kite flying, a virtual balloon release) that you might like to consider.

If you absolutely must have a balloon release consider making it as environmentally friendly as possible - using twine or no ribbon at all, and using un-coloured latex balloons that are supposed to freeze and shatter once they are at a certain height.

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Here are some links for further information:

Balloons Blow website - a US site dedicated to raising awareness of the environmental impact of balloon releases and offering suggestions of alternatives.

This article from One Green Planet discusses the impact balloon releases have on wildlife.

This article from Bug, Bird and Bee talks about the impact that both sky lanterns and balloon releases have.