Florida Bans Balloon Releases Statewide

Balloon releases are officially illegal in Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis this week put signature to a bill, previously passed by the state legislature with bipartisan support, that bans the intentional release of balloons in the Sunshine State.

The law overrides a previous restriction that had allowed small-scale balloon releases – less than 10 in a 24-hour period. Also, biodegradable balloons had been exempted under the previous restriction, but are now prohibited from being released on purpose.

Anyone over the age of 7 who intentionally releases a single balloon in Florida can be subject to a $150 fine for littering, under the new law. Release a balloon over 15 pounds? The fine can hit $1,000.

The impetus for the ban is based in concern for wildlife and the environment. Beyond causing litter after they deflate and descend to earth or waterways, balloons can be mistaken for food by wildlife including birds, sea turtles, whales and other marine creatures, ban proponents said. Their digestive systems can be blocked by the balloons, resulting in death.

“Florida made the right call in banning intentional balloon releases,” said Hunter Miller, field campaigns manager for Oceana, a nonprofit that combats plastic pollution. “Balloons are one of the deadliest forms of plastic pollution for ocean wildlife.”

Promo Reaction

Balloons are among the products sold by some promotional products suppliers. Executives ASI Media spoke with said balloons purchased for the purpose of releases constitute a small portion of business from the product category.

“This ban really doesn’t affect our sales,” said Les Dorfman, president of Galaxy – More Than Balloons (asi/55675). “Almost 100% of all ballon orders are not for events that the actual balloon gets released into the environment. They are used primarily at inside events, where the main purpose is decorative – or, for example, with fast food chains to draw attention to their business.”

Some balloon suppliers have noted to ASI Media that foil balloons should be avoided for launches because they are not biodegradable, but latex balloons are biodegradable, decomposing at about the same rate as an oak leaf.

Even so, some balloon-industry advocates have been discouraging releases, saying it's best to keep the items tethered. In that, there may be additional promo opportunity. Items like balloon weights, pens/markers, drinkware handles and even “chip clips” – all of which can be branded – can be used to tether/display-in-place balloons, industry pros have told ASI Media.

Beyond Florida, states that have balloon release prohibitions are California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia. Various cities also have bans, according to the nonprofit Balloons Blow.