06 • 08 • 2021
Polystyrene Foam, Balloon and Confetti Ordinance in Boca Raton
Polystyrene foam, balloons and plastic glitter are a dangerous source of marine litter thet pose significant risk to nesting sea turtles and wildlife along Florida's coasts. The Palm Beach County Chapter seeks to help Boca Raton to remove these dangerous items from beachside parks, pavillions and city owned property.
Polystyrene foam is a known carcinogen which breaks down into dangerous marine debris, the release into the atmosphere of large numbers of balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases poses a danger and nuisance to the environment, particularly to wildlife and marine animals and confetti, often made of shiny plastic is attractive to wildlife who can mistake it for food, to terrible consequences.
Surfrider's Palm Beach County Chapter is asking for the City of Boca Raton to regulate the use and sale of foam, balloons and confetti at all beachside parks, party pavillions and on city owned property.
On Tuesday, June 8th the City of Boca Raton commission and Mayor voted to protect their environment and passed the ordinance!