Traditional balloon release removed from pre-race festivities for Indy 500

[KLB]

The balloons is a huge deal to any fan or area resident that looks to see "The Ballons" on race morning.
Heck man there is more trash thrown from cars along the roads and fence rows than any balloon release adds to.

But if that's how you feel then cool.

Just because there is more litter generated elsewhere does not mean steps shouldn't be taken to eliminate it where you can.

Do you just throw garbage out of your car window because others are? I'm betting no.

 

[Farmerjon]

I pick up balloons year round. Damn cows stand in knee deep grass and walk a 1/2 mile to investigate that damn flapping thing then think to themselves, let's eat that!

 

[Creedmoor]

I pick up balloons year round. Damn cows stand in knee deep grass and walk a 1/2 mile to investigate that damn flapping thing then think to themselves, let's eat that!

Sounds like you need to mow your pastures.

 

[eldirector]

Latex balloons are biodegradable.

The balloon launch was likely the most environmentally-friendly part of the whole event.

 

[KLB]

Latex balloons are biodegradable.

The balloon launch was likely the most environmentally-friendly part of the whole event.

Neither of which make it a good thing to do.

 

[Farmerjon]

Sounds like you need to mow your pastures.

My pastures get mown. I am not here to debate balloons, plastic shopping bags and fast food bags. Yeah, call me old fashioned, I prefer the old school method of throwing your own trash in a trash can.

 

[Creedmoor]

My pastures get mown. I am not here to debate balloons, plastic shopping bags and fast food bags. Yeah, call me old fashioned, I prefer the old school method of throwing your own trash in a trash can.

We mow pastures in june and august,
Next time i'll use purple or you can put on your "i'm fun" shirt tomorrow.

 

[femurphy77]

Seems like the fuel, oil and rubber used for the race would create more pollution than balloons. Seriously though, how difficult would it be to create biodegradable balloons for this? I've hit biodegradable golf balls in to water and woods and shot biodegradable airsoft ammo. Biodegradable straws appear to be all the rage. They're weird but seem to work for the duration of dinner and drinks. It seems that biodegradable balloons could be produced easy enough.

Biodegradable straws. ARE YOU DAFT MAN? Oh you mean "paper" straws. Yeah, been around since at least the 50's.

 

[Ark]

I'm pretty much okay with this change. We kind of learned our lesson the hard way.

 

[Farmerjon]

We mow pastures in june and august,
Next time i'll use purple or you can put on your "i'm fun" shirt tomorrow.

Had it been in purple, I would have responded a lot differently. Did not read in your intended sarcasm. I am spraying fence rows now and have picked up 3 balloons already last week. So maybe I was a little sensitive about this.

 

[MRockwell]

Biodegradable straws. ARE YOU DAFT MAN? Oh you mean "paper" straws. Yeah, been around since at least the 50's.

Paper straws are so '50's.

Nowadays, they make compostable straws out of plastic, or PLA/CPLA, as well as plastic forks/spoons/knives.

Because of @PhotoNinja , I know way too much about compostable cutlery.

 

[shibumiseeker]

Had it been in purple, I would have responded a lot differently. Did not read in your intended sarcasm. I am spraying fence rows now and have picked up 3 balloons already last week. So maybe I was a little sensitive about this.

I’ve spent a good portion of my life picking up other people’s litter on my property, property I volunteer to manage, and public property. I don’t understand the mentality of ‘the world is my trash can’ some folks have. Of course, I’m libertarian, not republicrat, so maybe I just don’t understand entitlement. I’m very much “You do you on your property, keep it off mine.”

 

[cbhausen]

An intrepid group of fans made sure the tradition continued, albeit on a much smaller scale!

 

[Michigan Slim]

No balloons this weekend. Just beer cans.