Heavy Consequences for Helium Balloons
It became a common occurrence for people to celebrate a special occasion by releasing balloons into the sky. They floated up, sometimes carrying special messages, or favorite colors and floating curly ribbons. But as Isaac Newton taught us, what goes up must come down. And unlike the SpaceX rocket that returns to Earth to a planned location, balloons float on the wind and cause problems wherever they come down. They wreak havoc on wildlife, in addition to clogging storm drains, and getting caught in trees and on power lines.
To address this problem and curb the behavior, a new law was recently passed. Here is a summary of § 29.1-556.1, in case you didn’t see it:
“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 non-biodegradable or non-photodegradable 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…”
Just one example of the problems with balloons that return to Earth can be found in Virginia’s Barrier Islands. Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ biologist Ruth Boettcher says, “Latex and Mylar balloons are becoming increasingly prevalent on the islands and in the surrounding marshes. It is not unusual for us to pick up between 10 and 20 balloons along a 2-3 mile of stretch of beach without even actively searching for them. While we occasionally see wildlife directly impacted by trash (e.g., shorebirds entangled in netting or balloon ribbons, ospreys entangled in the fishing line used to line their nests, the ingestion of balloons by marine animals), the increasing accumulation and pervasiveness of debris in coastal habitats can only increase the potential for negative interactions between wildlife and trash.”
Hopefully, with the new law in place people will become more aware of the harmful, residual effects of releasing balloons in the air. And there are many environmentally-friendly ways to celebrate a momentous event like milestone birthdays and weddings.
The Joyful Send-off campaign was designed by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program and Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University. It features alternative, litter-free ideas that capture the same joy and excitement as a balloon release. The “Bubbles of Joy” package offers personalized bubble bottles, and “Glowing Lights” will create picture perfect moments with LED lights and glow wands. Other low-tech ways include tossing flower petals or seed-studded confetti as a way to give that special send-off.
You can help by sharing these ideas with engaged couples and family members to consider when planning special events. The wildlife, storm drains, and Keep Virginia Beautiful will thank you!