Ballooning Canterbury
As a leading balloon company Ballooning Canterbury is committed to minimise the impact of our operation on the environment.
We employ locally, recycle, and support our community- this is our commitment to our business and the community we do business in sustainably.
Our goal is to operate in an ecologically sustainable manner by minimising our impact on the environment by reducing waste and the use of energy and resources.
To do so, we:
- Identify, strive, and promote to achieve best environmental practice in our management systems and operations.
- Provide an environmentally sound workplace, and progressively implement a range of environmentally sound work practices.
- Work closely with our employees, contractors, suppliers, clients and other stakeholders to develop and implement agreed environmental initiatives consistent with this policy.
- Explore opportunities for improved environmental awareness within our communities.
Current initiatives
Our main project is a partnership with the Canterbury Gliding Club to help offset our carbon footprint.
With the help of the Kakariki Greenway Canterbury Trust we have had plans drawn up to create a green lot of natives to support a corridor of native biodiversity green dots between the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers linking the mountains to the sea. With financial support from an Environmental Management fund, Ballooning Canterbury, and members of the Canterbury Gliding Club this project has progressed with stages 1 and 2 completed over the summer of 22-23. We have had an exceptional growing season which has got us off to a great start. This project is planned to continue over the next 10 years.
Photos of the 2700m2 stage 1 & 2 at Springfield airfield. Sandy Yong of the Canterbury Gliding club is the overseer of this project along with Michael Oakley of Ballooning Canterbury.
Other photos of members helping with plantings and scouts at the Aoraki Scout Aviation camp who also helped by spreading some of the linseed around the plants at their recent event held at the airfield.
Further initiatives
All crew vehicles are powered by diesel and not petrol
Daily flights are one hour duration causing low level of emissions
We use more efficient LED lighting inside and out.
Have gone to a paperless check in system in the mornings.
All our waste is recycled.
All our cleaning water is run off back onto the land.
All our ticketing and vouchers are all email instead of being printed or posted.
COMMUNITY
Ballooning Canterbury places great emphasis on supporting the community and continues to ensure that it cements itself as a valued member of the community and the Selwyn district. The stronger the partnership, the greater the success we have as a region.
Throughout the last 10 years, Ballooning Canterbury has been building on the community brand by being extremely active in the areas in which we fly over and land on.
Ways in which we support our local community –
- Donate and support to local schools, emergency services and other volunteer groups
- Volunteer our time at community events and fundraises.
- Public speaking to promote the importance of offering an accessible experience.
- Planting trees with our partners CGC
- Support local businesses through partnership packages.
- Employ locals.
Plan 2023-2025
Support new initiatives where possible within the community
Electrify our inflation fans.
Progress stages 3 & 4 of green lot plantings
Develop new plantings on our base site.
