Ban the Intentional Release of Balloon in Hammonton, NJ

The South Jersey Chapter is working to get the City of Hammonton to ban the intentional release of balloons. Hammonton is in the heart of the Pinelands, and it is the “Blueberry Capital of the World” so there is substantial farmland. Residents of Hammonton don’t want to see their fields and forests littered any more than they want oceans, waves, and beaches littered with balloons.  

Chapter Activist Steve Jasiecki began with a “Green Team” member and since has been writing to the Council, attending meetings, and speaking at meetings in order to convince the Council of this policy. They showed pictures of littered balloons and wildlifeimpacted by balloons. The Chapter provided a sample ordinance.

In December 2019, the Mayor and Council of Hammonton, NJ passed ordinance 028-2019 banning the intentional release of balloons in that town. The agenda is linked here. https://www.townofhammonton.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Agenda-12-16-19.pdf 

This victory in significant in that Hammonton is a large inland town. Thus far, most balloon release bans have been in coastal towns.