Virginia’s new law makes it illegal to release balloons

When Del. Nancy Guy took on the issue of balloon trash this year at the Virginia General Assembly, she knew she would need to have some thick skin.

For nearly 10 years, legislators on the hill who tried to ban balloon releases dealt with snarky commentary. In 2015, Sen. Bill Stanley belittled such legislation Sen. Jeff McWaters introduced, saying it could lead to “undercover stings” at children’s parties.

Now, its seems, the unenlightened were full of hot air.

Effective Thursday, it will be illegal to intentionally release a balloon outdoors. The civil offense is punishable by a $25 fine per balloon.

Latex balloons, foil balloons and plastic ribbons are a top source of debris found on Virginia’s remote beaches, according to research conducted by Longwood University between 2013 and 2020.

Birds, turtles and other animals often mistake balloons for food, which can be deadly. Sea turtles are especially susceptible because they surface to breathe and eat where deflated balloons float on the water.

Local environmental stewards, including Lynnhaven River Now, the Keep It Beachy Clean litter program and the Virginia Aquarium’s stranding response center, urged Guy to sponsor the balloon release ban bill. She expected a bumpy road.

“I had to be willing to take the ribbing even from people I consider my friends,” Guy said. “You would think it would be an easy bill when you fully understand it’s a legalized form of littering.”

The previous version of the law allowed the release of up to 49 balloons in a one-hour period. Balloon releases are often used in celebrations, memorials or to raise awareness for certain causes.

Sen. Stanley of Moneta again tried to squash the ban, asking if police would be “hiding around the bouncy house” waiting to write tickets.

The law provides that if a person under the age of 16 releases a balloon at the instruction of an adult, the adult is liable for the civil penalty.

Guy hopes the ban will help spur education about the detrimental effects of balloon trash.

“I don’t think people do these balloon releases out of malice; they do it out of ignorance about how dire these impacts can be,” Guy said. “By having a statute on the books that makes it subject to a fine, it’s now possible for environmental groups to publicize that fact.”

Looking for an alternative to a balloon release? Visit preventballoonlitter.org; joyfulsendoff.org and balloonsblow.org.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com