Balloons: A Different Kind of Litter
What Goes Up, Must Come Down
Balloons are unique among all the man-made litter and debris found in the ocean and on the land. This is because people purchase helium-filled balloons with the intent of releasing them into the environment. Too many people also participate in balloon releases because they do not make the connection that when balloons go up they come back to Earth as potentially harmful litter.
While all marine debris has some potential to harm wildlife, balloons have been identified as among the five deadliest types of debris due to the risk they pose to marine wildlife.
Balloon Debris by the Numbers in the Mid-Atlantic
In 2016-2019, volunteers participating in the International Coastal Cleanup reported more than 29,800 littered balloons in Mid-Atlantic states—New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Of these, 15,076 balloons were found in New York, 6,626 were found in New Jersey, and Virginia volunteers found 4,154 balloons. Data reveal that in Virginia most of the balloon litter is found on its beaches, demonstrating that balloon litter accumulates in some coastal environments. A 5-year (2013-2017) monitoring project on remote islands of Virginia documented 11,441 pieces of balloon litter—up to 272 pieces per mile of beach.
Deflated foil graduation balloons on a barrier island in Virginia. Credit: Christina Trapani.
