Balloon releases have grown in popularity over the years, but advocates say they can negatively impact the environment. One Outer Banks woman is pushing for the trend to be banned in North Carolina. 

Ten states, including nearby Virginia, have laws banning balloon releases, but North Carolina does not.

Southern Shores resident Debbie Swick started a community effort to pick up balloons and other trash from Outer Banks beaches. 

“Today we're out picking up garbage on the beach because litter is a huge problem. But balloon pollution is a huger problem,” says Swick.“Today we're out picking up garbage on the beach because litter is a huge problem. But balloon pollution is a huger problem,” says Swick.

After seeing a balloon release for a memorial on the news, Swick said knew she had to do something to create more awareness about the harm they can do. 

“They released 100 pink and yellow balloons and in doing so, the camera wafted up to the beautiful North Carolinian blue sky with the pink and yellow balloons, and it stirred something inside of me. I just began to weep,” said Swick. 

Swick said the diverse animals on the Outer Banks are the most vulnerable. 

“Sea turtles mistake it [a balloon] for jellyfish. They float around and become food for curious animals, they are the number one problem for seabirds,” Swick said. 

In 2023, the National Park Service at Cape Hatteras National Seashore reported the number of balloons they found doubled from the previous year. 

“Balloons that we pick up here on the Outer Banks are not just from North Carolina," Swick said. "The National Park Service has, you know, collected 1,786 recently. In 2023, one of those balloons came from Wisconsin.”

Swick has reached out to local and state lawmakers hoping a ban will be implemented. She created a change.org petition and garnered support from a the Outer Banks Realtor Association.

Swick says balloon are also commonly used on "for sale" signs or at open houses and can become loose. More information is available on her Facebook page.