Find out why we've banned the release of balloons and sky lanterns, what the fine is and alternatives ways to mark an occasion.
Brighton & Hove City Council has banned the release of balloons and sky lanterns in and on land owned by the council.
This includes the city’s:
The release of lanterns and balloons outdoors present a number of environmental issues.
They cause problems for the council in terms of waste clean-up and disposal costs.
They are impossible to dispose of in a safe way as the owner has no way of finding the balloons or lanterns once released. For lanterns, there is no way of ensuring it is extinguished before reaching the ground.
Both balloons and lanterns return to the ground and can be ingested by animals, bords and marine wildlife, causing risk of death, injury and entrapment.
If an authorised Environmental Enforcement Officer witnesses you releasing a balloon or sky lantern in and on land owned by the council, you may be issued with a fine of £100.
This includes the city’s beach, seafront, parks and open spaces.
There are many alternatives to balloon and sky lantern releases such as:
Go to the RSPCA website for more suggestions.
The decision to ban the release of balloons and sky lanterns in and on land owned by the council was made by the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee (item 95), following a public consultation.