Sustainability

We are thrilled to have achieved a score of 97% on the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard.

Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard measures where a business is at on their sustainability journey against the four pillars of sustainability: environmental impacts, socio-economic impacts, cultural impacts, and sustainable management.

We recognize that sustainable tourism is essential for the future of our planet so we are committed to preserving the environment and promoting sustainability through a range of initiatives.

We are proud of our achievements in sustainability, and we are committed to continuing our efforts in this area, not just for the long-term success of our business but, for the the environment, the community, and future generations.

Learn more about our the Ecotourism Australia Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard here.

At our Head Office and balloon storage location in Lovedale in the Hunter Valley, we are proud to operate an 8.4 kW solar grid system to help offset our energy requirements.

By harnessing the power of the sun, we are able to significantly reduce our reliance on traditional sources of electricity and help to mitigate the effects of climate change. By using solar energy, we are able also able to significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

We believe strongly that by investing in renewable energy sources like solar, we can make a positive impact on both our local and global environment.

At Balloon Aloft, we are proud to be 100% reliant on rainwater at our head office operations.

All of the rainfall harvested from our office and balloon hangars is feed into a series of tanks, which we use for a variety of purposes including cleaning, drinking and even storage for firefighting in the event of bushfire.

Harvesting rainwater provides numerous environmental benefits, including reducing strain on municipal water supplies, reducing runoff and erosion, reducing water pollution, saving energy, and providing a sustainable water source.

Located on a 50-acre property in Lovedale, Hunter Valley, the Balloon Aloft head office was previously a vineyard and hobby farm prior to our ownership.

In the past decade, we have made significant efforts to enhance the property’s environmental value by planting hundreds of native trees. Our objective was to maintain animal corridors that connect to the nearby National Park, providing a vital habitat for the local wildlife.

Not only do native trees store significant amounts of carbon, but they also contribute to the protection of soils and water quality while safeguarding threatened species.

Our team has dedicated extensive efforts towards removing non-native plant species from our natural water courses on the property and regenerating the local plant species. Through these efforts, we have been able to improve the quality and health of our natural waterways and preserve the delicate balance of our local ecosystem.

At Balloon Aloft, we understand that our actions have an impact on the environment, and we are committed to minimizing that impact as much as possible. Our Tread Lightly policy is just one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to the environment.

One of the most important aspects of Tread Lightly is leaving no trace behind. When we launch or land our balloons, we make sure to leave the area exactly as we found it. This means picking up any litter or debris, and making sure that nothing is left behind that could disturb the natural ecosystem.

Not only is this important for the appearance of the area, but it also has significant benefits for the environment. Litter can be harmful to wildlife and can damage ecosystems, disrupting the delicate balance that supports our planet. By ensuring that we leave no trace, we are doing our part to protect these ecosystems and preserve them for future generations.

We also encourage our passengers to follow the Tread Lightly code of practice. By doing so, they can help to minimize their own impact on the environment and ensure that they leave no trace behind.

At Balloon Aloft, we’re committed to reducing our environmental impact through a variety of sustainable practices, including the reduction, reuse, and recycling of resources.

By reducing paper consumption, we can conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and decrease our carbon footprint. We’ve implemented a digital booking process, where bookings are entered directly into our booking system, and confirmations are sent to passengers via email or text message, significantly reducing our paper usage. Any paper waste we do generate is reused as scrap and then either composted or recycled when no longer of use.

In addition, we recycle print cartridges, computer parts, and old mobile phones, preventing hazardous materials from ending up in landfills and reducing the need for the extraction and processing of new raw materials.

We’re also committed to reducing food waste by composting any food scraps from our office or using them in our worm farm, which provides nutrient-rich soil for our Balloon Aloft veggie garden.

And on our flights, we use no plastic, single-use glasses, helping to reduce plastic waste in our environment.

By following these sustainable practices, we’re able to minimize our environmental impact and contribute to a healthier planet. Join us in our efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

At Balloon Aloft, we are proud to be Sea Shepherd Ambassadors, supporting the organization’s mission to protect and conserve the world’s oceans and marine wildlife. Since 2017, our team has been flying the Sea Shepherd balloon at events and festivals both in Australia and overseas, raising awareness for the organization’s vital work.

In addition to our efforts to raise awareness, we are also committed to taking direct action to protect our local waterways. Our team regularly participates in beach cleanups to keep our local environment clean and healthy. Beach cleanups are essential to protect marine wildlife, as plastic and other debris can pose a significant risk to marine animals if not disposed of properly. By participating in these cleanups, we help to keep our local waterways healthy and protect the marine life that depends on them.

We understand the importance of protecting the environment, particularly our oceans, which play a vital role in regulating the earth’s climate and supporting marine biodiversity. By supporting organizations like Sea Shepherd and participating in beach cleanups, we hope to inspire others to take action and help protect our planet’s natural resources.