"Balloon Pollution Initiative (Bill No. 20)" By: Dylan Zito

Each year, many species of marine life including blue whales, sea turtles, dolphins, and more, are killed due to the use of a classic party decoration, balloons. Balloons appear harmless, and for humans, they are. This is not the case for sea creatures, however. Balloons and aquatic animals are like water and oil. Simply put, they do not mix. This year at MGA, bill number twenty is about balloon pollution initiative and what rules and regulations should be followed regarding balloon releases into the atmosphere.

Bill number twenty states the following: “It shall be unlawful to release into the atmosphere large numbers of balloons inflated with lighter than air gases poses a danger and nuisance to the environment, particularly to wildlife and marine animals.” It also reads that “it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to intentionally release, organize the release, or intentionally cause to be released within a 24-hour period 10 or more balloons with a gas that is lighter than air.”

There are several exemptions involved in this bill including balloons released by a person on behalf of a government agency or pursuant for scientific or meteorological purposes, hot air balloons that will be retrieved after the initial launch period, balloons released in an indoor space, and lastly, balloons that are either biodegradable or photodegradable, which will be determined by rule of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. These balloons, however, must be closed by a handtied knot at the stem of the balloon without the use of string, ribbons, or other attachments. Any person who violates these rules is guilty of a noncriminal infraction, which is punishable by a $250 dollar fine. The person may petition the circuit court to enjoin the release of ten or more balloons; however, the person must be a citizen of the country in which the balloons are to be released.

The purpose of this bill is to prevent animals, particularly Virginia’s sea life, from dying due to strangulation or starvation because of balloons that have been released into the atmosphere. These balloons burst eventually and the pieces fall into the ocean. These deadly pieces of latex and other materials resemble jellyfish or other sea life consumed by marine animals such as dolphins and sea turtles. When the marine animals ingest these materials, they can and often do get lodged in their digestive tract, which removes the animal’s ability to eat. This leads to a slow, painful death due to starvation.

Wildlife can also be victims of balloons and balloon strings or ribbons. When the balloons pop, the strings or ribbons are blown away and land all over, where wildlife can easily come into contact with these dangerous items. Multiple species of birds are often found with injured beaks, wings, or other body parts tangled in balloon strings or ribbons. This can cause strangulation and the death of the animal, and just like their sea life counterparts, wildlife can also fall victim to a painful, agonizing death by starvation after ingesting pieces of balloons. The death of these animals damages the ecosystem and once it is damaged, it is rather difficult for an ecosystem to be restored to its full potential.

The patron of bill number twenty, Mr. Aidan Blair, stated that since the high school he attends, Broadwater High School, is located near the Chesapeake Bay, Blair has personally witnessed multiple animals such as sea turtles and blue whales dying due to entanglement in balloons. This caused him to become invested in the cause after watching far too many innocent animals die due to strangulation and since in his opinion it is a good cause, Blair decided to do his bill on the topic of Balloon pollution initiative this year at MGA.

To conclude, every year, marine animals such as dolphins and sea turtles are killed due to becoming tangled in balloons. While they appear harmless, balloons pose a real threat to sea animals and other animal life. Bill number twenty is about balloon pollution initiative and what should be done about this very important environmental issue that is impacting both marine and non-marine species of animals.