Happy Valentine’s Day

Flanders Moss NNR

This was the sight that I came across a few days back, far out on the Moss. Two smaller balloons tied with plastic ribbon to a larger one that had burst. Not a Valentine as it turns out but a happy birthday to Mum.

Unfortunately whoever was wishing Mum a happy birthday didn’t follow the manufacturers instructions but ended up celebrating a special day by leaving litter that can harm wildlife across an important nature site. Not a great way to show your love for someone special.

Putting these instructions in tiny letters on the balloon obviously made no difference in this case. Maybe it is time for manufacturers to take more responsibility? This balloon isn’t an isolated case. Nearly every time I walk out across the moss I find them, on this particular day there was another two close by.

There are environmentally friendly alternative ways the mark a special occasion – have a look here.

But a lot of these still involve buying stuff – plastic and manufactured items. So why not consider something even more environmentally friendly and longer lasting – like planting a tree – see here and here. You can even mark a special event by making a donation to the work we do at Flanders Moss – here – now that has got to be better than littering a nature reserve with a bit of plastic?