Releasing sky lanterns and balloons could soon be banned in Glasgow

The move comes a month after the council pledged to end the use of plastic straws in support of Sunnyside Primary School’s successful NaeStrawAtAw campaign.

The Craigend school’s Ocean Defenders group recently made national news when pupils convinced the council to stop using plastic straws in all its restaurants and cafes.

Their campaign also gained support from a wide range of national businesses in the city.

Now Sunnyside's PrettyDeadly campaign is prompting action on another form of pollution.

It highlights the environmental threat from decorative balloons and lanterns which are often released at celebrations and launch events.

Birds and other wildlife can die after becoming entangled in the wire frames of lanterns when they land in woods, fields and rivers and the candles inside also pose a fire risk.

Wild animals and livestock can also choke to death on balloons when they fall to earth, often miles from the release site and items claiming to be biodegradable can take many months to break down.

Anna Richardson, the city council’s sustainability and carbon reduction spokeswoman, said: “I’ve been so impressed by Sunnyside Primary School’s environmental campaigns. The pupils are so knowledgeable and passionate about protecting the planet.

“Their NaestrawAtAw campaign was discussed at the Scottish Parliament and made national headlines, but more importantly, it convinced businesses to stop using plastic straws, preventing hundreds of thousands going to landfill or ending up in our rivers, streams and oceans.

“Now the pupils are highlighting the dangers posed by sky lanterns and balloon releases.

“Their arguments are so convincing I’m proposing a ban on releases from all council-owned premises and land – including the city’s parks.

“Hopefully this will help put an end to environmental litter and the needless suffering of animals.”

Lisa Perrie, Sunnyside Primary teacher, welcomed the proposed change in policy.

She said: “The pupils are delighted the council is proposing to ban sky lanterns and balloon releases from all its premises.

“Although these items seem like pretty, fun and harmless entertainment, they can have a terrible impact on our wildlife and farm animals.

“Everyone at the school is very proud of all the hard work the pupils put into their environmental studies and the support they have attracted is proof that everyone can do something significant to reduce pollution and help the planet.”

The proposed ban would also be a condition of council building lets and event licensing.

Environmentally-friendly celebrations such as flying kites, planting trees or scattering wildflower seeds will be encouraged instead.