Florida’s bill bans balloon releases. Info about HB 321

Instead of releasing a balloon, environmental experts are proposing environmentally friendly, easy-to-clean-up alternatives that do not threaten nature.

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.

On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that bans the intentional release of balloons in the state and imposes hefty fines on those who violate 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.

Oceana, an ocean conservation nonprofit, lobbied for the bill, calling the passage of the legislation a “great day for Florida’s coastlines and ocean wildlife.”

“Florida’s new law will help save marine animals from these preventable deaths,” Hunter Miller, Oceana’s Florida Field Campaigns Manager, wrote in a statement. “While balloon releases are sometimes used for celebrations, Floridians can opt for greener choices such as bubbles, kites, planting trees or creating memorial gardens.”

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 are still permitted.

When will 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?

Biodegradable balloons are often made from natural latex, according to EcoFreak. However, the law will remove the previous exemption for balloons that are biodegradable or photodegradable under FWC rules.

What are the legal consequences of releasing a balloon in Florida?

HB 321 would classify the intentional release of any balloon 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, tie-off 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 nature 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 appear to selectively eat burst balloons because they resemble jellyfish, their natural food,” the description reads.

Furthermore: “Balloons, along with any attached ribbons or plastic disks, 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:

California
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Maine
Maryland
Rhode Island
Tennessee
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

Bubbles
Kites
Wish papers
Windsocks
Fabric bunting
Luminous objects
(Biodegradable) Throwing confetti
Powder cannon
Pinwheels
Origami
Float flowers or candles
Natural boats
Plant a tree
Memorial garden

Contributing: Ana Goñi-Lessan, Tallahassee Democrat/USA TODAY Network-Florida