Florida Bans Release of Balloons, Citing Harm to Wildlife

Key Facts

Aquatic animals often mistake balloons for jellyfish and feel full after eating them, essentially starving from the inside out, and their ribbons can entangle turtles and manatees.
The practice is on the verge of becoming illegal in Florida, where the legislature has joined a growing number of states to ban the intentional release of balloons outdoors.
“Balloons contribute to the increase in microplastic pollution which is harmful to every living thing including humans, polluting our air and drinking water,” Ms. Chaney wrote in an email.
Aquatic animals often mistake balloons for jellyfish and feel full after eating them, essentially starving from the inside out.