Something may be missing from celebrations in Laguna Beach, California, these days. Starting this year, a new law in that city bans the sale and use of balloons at beaches, parks, and other public places. It’s also against the law to release balloons into the air. Anyone who breaks the law could face a fine of up to $500.
Nantucket, Massachusetts, is among the cities that have similar bans. Also, it’s illegal to release balloons into the air throughout Hawaii, Maryland, and Virginia.
These bans are in response to growing concerns about how balloons affect the environment and ocean life. After balloons are released, they eventually pop or deflate. When deflated balloons fall back to Earth, they can become litter on beaches or in the ocean. Birds, sea turtles, and other marine creatures might mistake them for food and choke on them. Sometimes, animals get tangled up in balloon strings.
Balloons made from Mylar—a plastic material that’s covered in foil—can create other problems. When these shiny balloons get tangled in power lines, they can cause power outages and fires. From 2015 to 2020, balloons contributed to more than 1,000 power outages in Southern California alone.
Residents of Laguna Beach don’t have to give up balloons completely. They can continue to buy balloons outside the city and use them at home. But city officials say the balloons must be properly discarded in the trash.