Balloons are often present at major life events, such as birthday parties, weddings, marathons and celebrations of life. As fun and sentimental as they are, far too many end up as litter in the state’s ecosystems.
Monday said Gov Ron DeSantis signed a law that would ban the intentional release of balloons in the state, and would impose some hefty fines for those who break the law.
The Tallahassee Democrat wrote that current Florida law allows nine or fewer balloons to be released in a 24-hour period. However, this latest bill classifies the intentional release of all balloons inflated with a lighter-than-air gas as litter.
Intentional Balloon Releases in Florida: What is HB 321?
House Bill 321, also known as the “Release of Balloons” bill, aims to ban the intentional release of balloons in the state.
According to the analysis of the bill, the penalties for intentionally releasing balloons are revised by specifying that a person commits littering if he intentionally releases, organizes or intentionally releases balloons when inflated with a lighter-than-air gas.
Weather, research and hot air balloons recovered after flight would still be allowed.
When does HB 321 come into effect?
With DeSantis’ signature, the bill would go into effect on Monday, July 1.
Is there an exemption for biodegradable balloons?
According to EcoFreak, biodegradable balloons are often made from natural latex. However, the bill will remove the previous exemption for balloons determined by FWC rules to be biodegradable or photodegradable.
What are the legal consequences of releasing a balloon in Florida?
HB 321 would classify the intentional release of all balloons inflated with a lighter-than-air gas as littering, and people who violate the law could be fined $150. Of that amount, $50 would go to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s solid waste management trust fund.
For balloons over 15 pounds, fines can be up to $1,000.
According to the bill, these penalties do not apply to children under the age of six.
How bad are balloons for the environment?
Nonprofit organization Oceana shared that scientists estimate that 33 billion pounds of plastic washes into the ocean every year, which amounts to about two garbage truckloads of plastic entering the ocean every minute.
Balloons are usually made of foil or latex and are inflated with a gas that is lighter than air. They are closed with plastic ribbons, valves, tying discs and clips. According to the bill’s own analysis, balloons that are released float away and eventually fall somewhere where they become litter, which can be dangerous for wildlife and the environment.
“Balloons take years to break down and often end up in waterways or the ocean, where they can be swallowed by marine animals. Turtles have been found to selectively eat burst balloons because they resemble jellyfish, their natural food,” the description reads .
Furthermore: “Balloons, along with any attached ribbons or plastic discs, can harm animals by blocking their airways or becoming stuck in their intestines. Ribbons and strings from balloons can also become tangled around birds and other animals, causing them can’t move anymore.”
In which states is balloon release illegal?
In addition to Florida, several other states have passed or proposed legislation to ban or restrict outdoor balloon releases, including:
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California
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Connecticut
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Delaware
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Hawaii
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Maine
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Maryland
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Rhode Island
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Tennessee
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Virginia
I was planning on doing a balloon release. What should I do instead?
Do you already have plans to have a balloon release this year for an upcoming event? It’s not too late to pivot. Party With a Cause shared some eco-friendly, easy-to-clean-up alternatives to the popular balloon releases, such as
Contributing: Ana Goñi-Lessan, Tallahassee Democrat/USA TODAY Network-Florida
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida bill bans balloon releases. Info about HB 321
