Local TREND. The new plastic bag ban is the balloon ban

Where: Queen Anne’s County, Maryland

What: Releasing balloons =littering, so cities look to ban the practice

How would the balloon ban work?

• except balloons that are  biodegradable or photodegradable
• except balloons released by the government, weather balloons, hot air balloons recovered after launch, or unintentional balloon releases
• maximum $250 fine

Are balloon bans happening elsewhere? YES

• San Francisco
• Baltimore
• Wrightsville Beach, N.C
• Statewide ban in California
• Statewide ban in Connecticut
• Statewide ban in Florida
• Statewide ban in Tennessee
• Statewide ban in Virginia

Are other states or cities considering it? Yes

•  New York
• Massachusetts
•  New Jersey
•  Maine
• Arizona
• New Hampshire 
• Rhode Island

Route Fifty | Why Local Governments Are Considering Balloon Release Bans