It may seem like released balloons just disappear into the sky, but balloons must always come down to earth, and their impacts to the environment cannot be overstated. According to data from the Ocean Conservancy, balloons are the most common form of floating marine garbage within 200 miles of American shorelines, and they are the third most dangerous debris item, as they are often mistaken for food by wildlife. For example, a rubber balloon in the ocean can look much like a jellyfish to a sea turtle. When ingested, a balloon can block an animal’s digestive track, often resulting in starvation. A 2019 study  found that balloons are a are 32 times more likely to kill seabirds than ingested hard plastics. In addition, balloon ribbons can impact wildlife by entangling animals, resulting in injury or death. Rubber balloons can exist in the environment for about four years before breaking down; however, mylar balloons will outlast us all on earth.

Mylar balloons, also known as metal or foil balloons, also cause power outages and fires when they encounter power lines, posing a direct threat to our community. More than 1,000 power outages each year in Southern California are a result of Mylar balloons colliding with power lines. Preventing these impacts is our responsibility as a community. Goleta is reducing marine debris and litter by regulating balloons, as part of the City’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The City’s new balloon regulations encompass a few areas:

• Prohibits the release of balloons in the City (mylar or latex)
• Restricts the use of Mylar and foil balloons in outdoor spaces like beaches and parks to prevent accidental releases
• Bans the sale and distribution of mylar/foil balloons within the City

Knowing the impacts of balloons, we have the opportunity to celebrate differently. There are many ways to decorate for celebrations that don’t have such a negative impact on wildlife and the environment. Although rubber/latex balloons are still permitted for sale and use in Goleta, a greener alternative is utilizing reusable vinyl balloons that can be stored and used again. Parties can be decorated with bunting, banners, paperchains, garlands, or paper streamers to make any space festive and colorful. Paper flowers, pinwheels, kites, and bubbles are also excellent options and are popular with kids.

As a City, we’re proud to be taking steps to eliminate plastic waste in our environment by reducing the prevalence of harmful items that can harm our local sea birds, marine mammals, and other wildlife that make the Santa Barbara Channel their home.

The effective date for Goleta’s balloon regulations is June 1, 2023. The City will be working on education and outreach efforts leading up to next summer. Read the full ordinance here. Learn more about the City’s recent plastic reduction policies here.

Images below from Ocean Conservancy

City Council Votes Unanimously to Pass Comprehensive Plastic Waste Reduction Policy to Reduce Polystyrene and Single-Use Plastics in Goleta’s Neighborhoods, Waterways, and Beaches

The City of Goleta now has one of the most comprehensive plastic pollution reduction policies in the country, based on science and best practices in waste reduction. The City of Goleta voted unanimously to pass the ordinance at its September 6^th City Council meeting. The adopted ordinance, entitled Plastic Waste Reduction Regulations to Address Single-Use Plastics and Polystyrene, prohibits the sale and distribution of certain single-use plastic and polystyrene disposable products in the community, as well as Mylar balloons, to reduce the prevalence of plastic pollution Goleta’s neighborhoods, waterways, and beaches.

“We have the opportunity to be environmental leaders and take action on addressing the plastic pollution problem,” Mayor Paula Perotte said. “Goleta residents value clean neighborhoods, beaches, and open space. These are key reasons why we live here. Getting rid of single-use plastics makes sense and is the right thing to do for our coastal community. By taking local action to stop plastic pollution at the source so it doesn’t reach our beaches and the ocean, our City leadership shows our commitment to keeping our beaches clean and healthy for our families and future generations.”

The newly adopted ordinance updates Goleta’s Municipal Code to prohibit single-use plastic straws, utensils, and stirrers. This is paired with an upon-request policy for non-plastic disposable items. Only straws and utensils made from non-plastic materials, such as wood, metal, bamboo, fiber, glass are allowed. Bioplastics, PLA plastics, and #7 plastics are NOT allowed. The ordinance also comprehensively addresses polystyrene pollution to ban polystyrene egg cartons, drinkware, foodware, and trays as well as polystyrene packing materials, such as foam peanuts.

In addition, the ordinance will also prohibit the sale and distribution of Mylar balloons and prohibit the release of balloons in the City to prevent power outages, as well as reduce marine debris and impacts to wildlife.

The ordinance prohibits food service vendors from providing single-use plastic disposable foodware accessories to consumers and requires single-use foodware accessories be made of non-plastic and non-polystyrene materials. Additionally, it requires reusable foodware for dining on premises to limit waste from single-use items. The ordinance also prohibits the use, sale, and distribution of single-use plastic bottles at City facilities.

A grace period is available for businesses to exhaust their existing supply of plastic straws and utensils, polystyrene products, Mylar balloons, and procure alternatives by June 1, 2023. Local businesses may apply for extensions for compliance for up to 6 months after the implementation date. The City will undertake a public education and outreach campaign to spread awareness of the regulations and the importance of the reduction of plastics. A list of alternatives and more information on plastic pollution will be available via a guide on the City’s website at www.cityofgoleta.org/PlasticFreeGoleta.

Protecting the environment is one of Goleta’s core values. The ordinance is part of the City’s Plastic Free Goleta campaign to eliminate the use of a variety of single-use plastic items to protect our environment and the oceans. Plastic straws and utensils of all shapes, sizes and colors are popping up everywhere, from cocktails to delivery food to unasked-for glasses of water. Collectively, Americans use roughly 500 million plastic straws daily – enough to fill up 125 school buses each day and wrap around our entire planet 2.5 times. Because they’re not recyclable, most polystyrene and single-use plastic utensils end up in landfills. The rest wind up polluting the environment and posing a threat to aquatic life. In fact, recent studies show that half of all sea turtles and nearly all seabirds have eaten plastic – and by 2050, it’s expected that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish, by weight.

Thank you for doing your part for Goleta and the environment. If you have any questions, please contact our Sustainability Manager Dana Murray at dmurray@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 961-7547. For more information on the City’s Sustainability Program, go to http://www.cityofgoleta.org/sustainability.