Sustainability

Adventure Balloons is committed to doing its part in maintaining a sustainable environment. In a perfect world we would all be carbon neutral and create no waste, unfortunately in our industry that’s just not possible, so we have taken actions to rebalance our environmental position. Here are some of the ways in which we try to reduce our impact on the environment.

Offsetting Our Carbon Emissions with technology In 2011 we became the first and only UK balloon operator to date to install Solar panels. Our Hampshire Office and our balloon storage shed have 120 solar panels export over 200 Kilowatts of electrical energy to the local grid on an average sunny day. So in addition to covering the majority of our office’s electrical consumption we supply the daytime needs of up to a dozen local houses in the area with the sun’s energy.

Up go our solar panels on our balloon rides office and balloon store building

Our native species tree planting from 2001 is doing very well

Offsetting Our Carbon Emissions the Natural Way Outside our Hampshire hot air balloon rides office we have planted some lovely specimen trees that we purchased from the well known Westonbirt Arboretum in 2006. Prior to this in 2001 we planted over 100 native species trees (oak, ash, maple, beech), which live on the hillside visible from the windows of the office. In 1996 we planted over 1,500 hedging plants of native species in the areas around our office and balloon store buildings when these were built. So we have been green long before it became fashionable! And our south facing panoramic office windows mean we rarely need to use artificial light in our office. In fact we generally have to use the blinds (made of wood of course) to keep the sun out which is also better for our staff to work in.

Recycling

All the champagne bottles and their cardboard boxes used during our balloon flights are recycled. We recycle printer ink cartridges and separate our rubbish including composting which is used to grow food in our garden.

Our Vehicles

We have a collection of Mercedes G Wagens which run our balloons around to our launch sites and pick them up from our landing sites. These classic 4x4’s are maintained to the highest standards so that they last for ever (some are already 25 years old) and when they enjoy a “deep service” every 5-10 years we use local labour. Not only do we save all the energy required to manufacture a new 4x4 by doing this but our G Wagens run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This is a clean and convenient source of energy and helps reduce emissions compared to running them on petrol or diesel.

Using local labour to maintain our Mercedes G Wagen balloon flights recovery vehicles to the highest standards

Our Mercedes G Wagen balloon rides recovery vehicles “on parade

Adventure Balloons Ltd, Winchfield Park, London Road, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, RG27 8HY.
Reg No 4837166

© Copyright 2012 Adventure Balloons