Conservation Council of SA Chief Executive Craig Wilkins told that the regulation should go further however, by banning balloons themselves along with other plastic party supplies.
“The evidence is clear, it does impact on wildlife, which would horrify most people who love to celebrate in a way that doesn’t do harm,” he said.
In a submission to Green Industries SA, the Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council proposed that plastic balloons, plastic streamers and ribbons be banned so they don’t end up in waterways.
The council suggested party decoration alternatives such as paper chains and flower garlands be used at events instead.
Plastic strings tied to balloons are the biggest killer of seabirds from marine debris in Australia, according to the CSIRO and the University of Tasmania.
In a 2021 study, the researchers analysed the cause of death of more than 1700 birds and found balloon string was the biggest culprit.
Ivy Bui, the director of Puff and Pop Balloons in Findon, told that a ban on plastic balloons would decimate her industry.
“It would affect business very poorly — all will shut down, including ourselves,” she said.
Bui said latex balloons decompose much faster than other plastics, and did what she could to minimise their impact.
“I understand where people are coming from with the environment — we don’t promote release of balloons into the air and encourage clients to dispose of balloons in bins,” she said. “We say no when customers want to buy balloons to release into the air at a funeral, even though it costs us money.”
Bui said a ban on plastic confetti would be easier for her industry to adapt to, as paper alternatives were easier to source.
Natural latex can be biodegradable, however the addition of chemicals and dyes prolongs the time balloons remain in the environment, and can block the intestines of animals that mistake them for food.
A spokesperson for Environment Minister David Speirs told balloons were not under consideration for a ban, pointing to the consultation document’s reference to existing regulation that councils can enforce.
“We are always looking at what other items could be included and there is currently a discussion paper which outlines plastic items which we could consider next such as coffee cups, plastic bowls and plates, however, balloons are not something we are looking at banning,” Speirs told in a statement.
The consultation document reads that “the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016 applies to litter to land and water, including from balloons, and local councils are able to enforce these provisions where appropriate.”
Last year SA became the first state in Australia to ban plastic drinking straws, stirrers and cutlery from sale, supply or distribution.
On March 1 a second round of items will be banned, including polystyrene cups, bowls, plates and clam-shell contaxjmtzywiners, and oxo-degradable plastic products.
The proposal now being considered woulda outlaw items including plastic balloon sticks and ties no later than 1 March 2023.
Cardboard balloon holders and bamboo balloon sticks were cited by Green Industries SA as alternatives.
Business SA Chief Executive Martin Haese told he called on all businesses to “consider the sustainability of their operations” and take advantage of the SA government consultation process.
“Sustainability used to be seen as a niche environmental field that was ‘nice to have’. But the tide has turned with the public calling on businesses to show their credentials when it comes to the reuse, recycling and the composibility of packaging and products,” he said.
