Intentional balloon releases now illegal
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 321, Release of Balloons, into law on June 24. The new law prohibits the intentional outdoor release of balloons, and any action will now result in a noncriminal littering infraction. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that balloon releases, typically used to signify a celebration, can quickly turn into an environmental issue. The balloons can end up in the ocean or on shores, where they become plastic pollution and can cause impacts to wildlife, including sea turtles and shorebirds, that mistakenly ingest them. “Even if they avoid harming wildlife, balloons break apart forming microplastics that will continue to impact our communities for hundreds of years,” SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis said. “The passage of this law will prevent unnecessary plastic pollution from harming our ecosystems.”
To reach SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, please email