While balloons are a popular way of celebrating big events, releasing them into the sky can be harmful to the environment and the animals living in it. After all, everything that goes up must come down. And chances are, they’re ending up in the water. In an effort to keep local waterways clean and protect wildlife, the Miami Beach City Commission has voted (6-1) to ban party balloons from public marinas, parks, beaches and marine facilities.
“We are surrounded by natural beauty and it’s our duty to prevent harm to our marine life,” said Miami Beach Commissioner David Suarez, who co-sponsored the ordinance. “Our environment must always be at the heart of our commitment to the city.”
Under the ordinance, an educational written warning would be given to any person or entity with balloons at any public marina, marine facility, public park or beach, unless they’ve had a previous warning within the preceding 12 months. The first violation by a person or entity within a 12-month period will carry a $100 civil fine for each balloon up to $1,000. Fines will increase for repeated violations within the prior 12 months.
The state of Florida currently prohibits the release of 10 or more balloons within a 24-hour period, resulting in a $250 fine. The Miami Beach ordinance goes a step further by banning balloons altogether.
There’s a new bill ‘floating’ in the Senate, SB 602 c1, which would prohibit intentionally releasing or organizing a release of balloons, and reclassify it as a form of “littering” and “dumping.” If passed, the bill would go into effect July 1, 2024.
In a press release, the City of Miami Beach shares that environmentally friendly alternatives to balloons include paper garlands, banners, streamers, flowers, pompoms, pinwheels, bubble-blowing solution and kites.