New Florida law bans balloon releases

Balloon Photo Courtesy Open Education

By Tami Stevenson

The release of balloons is a common and highly symbolic

practice that takes place everyday, all across our nation and around the world. Numerous non-profit organizations and charity groups preform mass balloon releases to raise funds or create awareness for a cause. Balloons are commonly released during a memorial service for the loss of a loved one, and the list continues. But this practice is now banned in Florida with CS/HB 321.

One reason for the ban includes the preservation of wildlife. Balloons that wind up in the ocean look like jellyfish to sea turtles, their favorite food, according to experts. Once ingested, the sea turtles die. They have found dead sea turtles and other wildlife wrapped up in balloons.

In fact, according to OCEANA USA, balloons and their plastic ribbons, tie-off disks, clips, and other attachments can be easily ingested and swallowed by endangered sea turtles, seabirds, and other ocean wildlife. Studies show balloons ranked among the  deadliest ocean trash for  key wildlife  and are the deadliest form of plastic debris for seabirds.

Scientists estimate that 33 billion pounds of plastic wash into the ocean every year. That equates to about two garbage trucks’ worth of plastic entering the ocean every minute. Remember those figures represent the entire world, not just our nation, but this is devastating to wildlife.

One suggestion – bubbles instead of balloons may be a great substitution.

According to the bill summary, the intentional release of balloons inflated with a gas that is lighter than air, is now prohibited and punishable under the Florida Litter Law. Violators could be ticketed with littering and may be ordered by a judge to pick up trash. The bill also removes an exemption for the intentional release of biodegradable or photodegradable balloons.

This law does not apply to a child six years of age or younger, hot air balloons or government agencies that release balloons for research.
CS/HB 321 was approved by Governor DeSantis on June 24, and became law on July 1.