Wikimedia CommonsThe Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) announced a ban on the open-air release of all balloons and plastic confetti, in an effort to reduce plastic pollution.
Under the new regulations, set to come into force within two months, it will be illegal to release any type of balloon into the sky.
The sale and use of plastic confetti will also be prohibited after a six-month transition period. The ERA stated the rules followed public and stakeholder consultation, aiming to prevent celebratory items from becoming persistent litter that harms marine life and ecosystems.
The move aligns with broader EU efforts, though it goes beyond current bloc-wide mandates. The EU restricts plastic balloon sticks and has a microplastics regulation targeting products like loose glitter, but it does not uniformly ban balloon releases or plastic confetti itself. Several member states, including Sweden, have enacted similar national bans.
In Malta, balloons will still be permitted for decorations if they are adequately weighted to prevent them from floating away.
The authority framed the change as a “small change for us, a big win for Malta,” encouraging responsible celebration to protect the island’s environment.
