The government recognises the scale and impact of plastic pollution and is focused on preventing and reducing plastic, and other litter, entering the environment. We want a country where waste is designed out of our economy, so our nature can thrive.

We are also making sure we are following the evidence, so that the action taken is the most effective it can be. As such, in 2023, Defra published a report that examined the risks that helium balloons and other items such as sky lanterns, pose to the environment and animal welfare. The report is available on GOV.UK at https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=21420.
This research suggests risks to the environment and animal welfare remain low. This government therefore prefers decisions on banning balloons to be made at a local level by councils, as they will have better intelligence on whether balloons are a specific problem for the environment or animal welfare in their area.

Local councils have powers to apply controls to restrict or ban the release of balloons on council or public land. Alternatively, they can also issue a fixed penalty notice for littering of up to £750 (up from £500 from 1 September 2026) to anyone who has littered balloons.

Furthermore, we will review the latest evidence on problematic single-use plastic products and/or materials to understand where to prioritise future action to make sure that it has the most impact. As part of this approach, we have put in place restrictions on the use of unnecessary single-use plastic products and taken steps to encourage reuse solutions. For example, we have banned the supply of single-use vapes. All vapes sold in the UK must now be rechargeable and refillable. We have also legislated to ban the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic in England, marking a major step forward in tackling the plastic and microplastic pollution that harms our waterways.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs