Ditch the balloons this summer

The weather is getting warmer and that means beachside BBQs and parties in our parks. But as you start to plan your party or get together, please take balloons off your shopping list.

Any released balloons, whether by accident or on purpose end up at best, as litter. At worst, balloons end up in our ocean where they can be mistaken as food and ingested or block the airways of marine animals.

Turtles are at risk as they mistake deflated balloons for jellyfish, a staple of seven turtle species’ diets. Once a balloon is in the turtle’s stomach, they cannot digest it causing them to suffer a long and painful death.

With so many great reusable alternatives for party decorations available - like ribbon twirlers, pin-wheels, bubbles, flowers or material and paper decorations - you can throw a great party without it turning into rubbish!

Check out our Swap this for that party guide for some inspiration.

Council is dedicated to reducing single use plastics on the Northern Beaches- thanks to our Waste Minimisation for Functions and Events policy, all public events and functions held on Council property or public open space cannot distribute single use plastic including balloons.

We’ve also got loads of workshops year-round to help you reduce your waste.