Learn the Facts.

Balloon Releases.

Balloons as Litter

Balloons that are released into the air, both latex and foil, always return to land or water as harmful and potentially deadly litter.

According to research from Clean Virginia Waterways and Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, bottle caps and balloons were the most frequently found litter items on Virginia’s beaches during several years of monitoring. A 2015 survey of marine debris experts by the Ocean Conservancy also identified balloons as the third most deadly type of ocean trash to key wildlife.

In a breakdown of the top ten observed marine debris items by CVW, balloon-related litter represented nearly half of material collected (see chart below).

Image credit: DEQ and Clean Virginia Waterways.

A wild pony on Assateague Island, VA with balloon litter in its mouth. Image credit: Cat Volmer.

Source: Clean Virginia Waterways.

“Balloons originate from a lot of places but the bottom line is: when you release a balloon, you’re effectively littering. That balloon’s going to return to Earth somewhere or return into one of our waterways.”

— Mark Swingle, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Image credit: Virginia Aquarium.

Brief History of Balloon Legislation

Pre-2021

The law in Virginia (§ 29.1-556.1. Release of certain balloons prohibited; civil penalty) states that ” It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly release or cause to be released into the atmosphere within a one-hour period fifty or more balloons which are (i) made of a nonbiodegradable or nonphotodegradable material or any material which requires more than five minutes’ contact with air or water to degrade and (ii) inflated with a substance which is lighter than air.”

Research has shown that balloon-related litter is one of the most common types of litter on Virginia’s remote beaches. In many cases, more than 100 pieces of balloon related litter, including foil & latex balloons, plastic ribbons & attachments such as plastic discs and laminated notes, have been found on one mile of beach.

Balloon litter is considered one of the most harmful types of litter to wildlife. Balloon litter not only harms marine animals, especially sea turtles, and shorebirds, but there are documented interactions with livestock, wild horses and inland species of wildlife as well.

We must change the Virginia law to ban all balloon releases, even so-called “biodegradable” balloons. The Balloon Council announced in August, 2018 that it no longer supports balloon releases. Cities and towns all over the country are banning balloon releases. If you are from Virginia, please support the efforts to reduce this dangerous type of litter in our environment.

Author : Christina Trapani of Eco Maniac Company

July 1, 2021 and Beyond

Legislation passed in the Virginia General Assembly takes effect. Specifically, the law states:

It is unlawful for any individual 16 years of age or older or other person to intentionally release, discard, or cause to be released or discarded outdoors any balloon made of a nonbiodegradable or nonphotodegradable material or any material that requires more than five minutes' contact with air or water to degrade. Any person convicted of a violation of this section is liable for a civil penalty of $25 per balloon released or discarded, which shall be paid into the Game Protection Fund established pursuant to § 29.1-101. If an individual under the age of 16 releases a balloon by arrangement with or at the instruction of an adult, the adult shall be liable for the civil penalty assessed.

The strengthening of Virginia’s balloon release restrictions was a major victory for the environmental community, however balloon litter still threatens our coastal (and inland!) communities. Help us continue the fight to Turn Off the Tap and advocate for healthy marine environments across the Chesapeake Bay region and country!