Balloons Release a Culture of Waste

Following environmental concerns raised by online users, a church in Quezon City did not go ahead with its Easter Sunday release of balloons. Bataris Philippines, the online campaign platform appreciated the church's gesture and urged others to follow suite. The platform described the balloons release as a culture of waste which harms wildlife and the environment.

The online campaign was launched after a priest in Christ, King of the Universe Parish in Novaliches, Quezon City declared that it will release the balloons with written wishes on them for Easter Sunday celebration. Online users expressed concerns about how the balloons once released, will end up as waste in landfills and other areas which will harm wildlife, marine and terrestrial ecosystems and even clog sewage systems.

The online campaign earned 159 signatures. Bataris continues to call on the public, churches and other institutions to stop activities detrimental to the environment. Okada Manila planned to break the current Guinness Book of World Records for the largest indoor balloon drop involving 109,000 balloons. Earlier, they had planned to drop 130,000 balloons for its New Year's eve countdown but canceled it amid the environmental concerns raised by the concerned public and groups.