Malta Bans Release of Gas Balloons, Throwing Plastic Confetti

A new law has introduced a ban on throwing plastic confetti and releasing gas balloons that are not weighted outdoors.

The legislation allows the continued use of confetti during weddings, festas and other celebrations, provided it is made from biodegradable material that breaks down naturally and does not harm the environment.

The law also permits the use of gas filled balloons, but only if they are weighted in a way that prevents them from escaping into the environment.

Plastic confetti and balloons do not biodegrade and often end up in the marine environment, where they are eaten by fish, turtles and birds.

This requirement is intended to stop balloons drifting into the sea or countryside, where they pose a risk to wildlife. The regulations will come into force on 28 January.

The changes were first proposed in March through a government white paper, which highlighted concerns about balloon releases during village feasts.

The final legal notice published on 28 November closely reflects those initial proposals. Additional legislation issued on the same day places a ban on the sale of plastic confetti, a restriction that will take effect in two months.

These measures form part of the government’s Single Use Plastic Products Strategy for Malta for the period 2021 to 2030, which aims to reduce waste and protect natural ecosystems.

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