Beaufort, South Carolina, became the first city in the state to ban outdoor balloon releases on December 9, 2025, following advocacy by local master naturalist Jenn Clementoni. The unanimous 5-0 city council vote treats such releases as littering, driven by concerns over wildlife harm from ingested balloons mistaken for food by dolphins, sharks, birds, and sea turtles.
Environmental Impact
Beaufort County leads South Carolina in balloon litter, averaging 2.95% of all documented debris since 2016, with beaches on islands like Fripp, Harbor, and Hilton Head heavily affected. In 2021, balloons comprised 9% of recorded litter in the county, highlighting risks to the Lowcountry’s tourism-dependent waterways and ecosystems.
Penalties and Advocacy
Violations, including organizing releases, carry fines up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail, though indoor releases remain allowed. Clementoni, executive director of the Carolina Bight Birding Center, pushed the ordinance after spotting event announcements and gathering data from sources like the South Carolina Aquarium’s Litter Journal, now urging nearby towns and state legislators to act.
Clementoni’s Background
Originally from New Jersey, Clementoni moved to Harbor Island in 2020 with her husband John for a quieter life near their son, a Marine trained at Parris Island. Inspired by her disabled Vietnam veteran father’s volunteering, she shifted from corporate work to birding tours and conservation, addressing issues like sea turtle protection alongside balloon litter.
