Title
An Ordinance Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Amending Section 97.12, City Code, Entitled “Regulation Of The Release Of Balloons” To Remove The Exception For Biodegradable Or Photodegradable Balloons.
Strategic Plan Focus
Resilience & Sustainability
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Ordinance.
Explanation:
SECOND READING:
No changes since first reading.
FIRST READING:
On October 8, 2020, the City Adopted Ordinance O-2020-10 that created section 97.12 banning the intentional release of balloons. However, Section 97.12 allows for the release of biodegradable or photodegradable balloons.
On April 6, 2022, the Sustainability Advisory Committee recommended striking the language that exempts “biodegradable” balloons since they pose a threat to wildlife.
Upon staff’s further investigation, it appears that many balloons currently in the market marked as biodegradable do not appear to be 100% biodegradable. In addition, even balloons that may degrade in soil do not degrade in the marine environment, and/or do not degrade quickly enough not to pose a threat to wildlife. Most people who release balloons do not remove the strings attached, which also pose a threat to wildlife. No intentional balloon releases should be allowed regardless of a biodegradable classification.
After consideration of the above and in order to reduce exposure and risk to wildlife, we concur with the Sustainability Advisory Committee’s recommendation to strike the language that exempts “Biodegradable and Photodegradable” balloons classification from our City Ordinance O-2020-10 section 97.12.
Fiscal Impact:
Approval of this ordinance will not fiscally impact the City.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Elaine Franklin, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator
Jose Cortes, Director of Design and Construction Management
Gus Zambrano, Assistant City Manager for Sustainable Development