Most of these balloons are those falsely marketed by the balloon industry as “biodegradable latex.” All photos were taken by Balloons Blow on Hutchinson Island, Florida, USA – unless otherwise noted. All photos with citations may be used for education purposes.
Flotsam and Jetsam 5
24 shoes today
Shoes belong on feet, not in the ocean.
4 balloons today
Ventured 40 miles up the coast to a friend’s favorite desolate spot. Same sh*t, different beach. All washed ashore with the winds & the tide. 4 balloons – 2 latex & 2 Mylar. Sebastian, Florida
5 balloons today
Walked a mile & back on the beautiful beach today to collect washed ashore marine debris: 27 single-use plastic beverage bottles, 22 shoes, 10 bottles of Cuban rum, styrofoam, caps, straws & plenty of other plastic crap. 5 balloons – 4 latex & 1 Mylar (3 were on sea turtle nests).
Refuse & Reduce
Please refuse or reduce your use of single-use plastics. There is no “away,” whether it ends up in the ocean, the beach or a landfill.
22 shoes today
We’ve never lost a shoe in our lives, but I guess it’s pretty common for some people.
Flotsam & Jetsam
Looks like a few critters tried to eat this.
10 bottles of Cuban rum
Glass and other marine debris.
8 Cuban medicine bottles
We don't need this kind of medicine!
Marine Debris
Polystyrene & a foam-filled plastic bottle.
Single-use plastic is not "green"
Great example of greenwashing. Trying to convince consumers a smaller cap is better for the environment because it’s less plastic & states “Be Green.” But it’s still a single-use plastic! Being “green” is not buying these in the first place & using a reusable bottle!
Beach Debris
An ink cartridge, miles & miles from the nearest printer.
11 balloons today
Haven’t been to this beach in awhile.
Flotsam & Jetsam
Plastic stone crab trap
Flotsam & Jetsam
Coral on plastic Stone Crab trap.
Flotsam & Jetsam
Plastic bottle with barnacles.
Beach Cleanup
Heavy haul - a mile back to the car.
All packed up
Someone has to clean up and properly dispose of plastic and other pollution.
7 balloons
First day back in Florida! Quick cleanup while my sister was at work. The usual, styrofoam, plenty of plastic, single-use beverage bottles & more debris from Cuba still washing in. 7 balloons – 2 latex & 5 Mylar.
2 hours, 1 mile
Plastic marine debris is choking our sea.
Flotsam & Jetsam
Octopus Traps & Crab/Lobster Trap Throat.
Marine Debris
Plastic motor fluid bottles. What are they doing on the beach?
Thumbs Down to Plastic
Singe-use plastic sucks!
Shoes, shoes & more shoes
Leave nothing but your footprints - take your shoes with you.
Plastic Debris
Caps, caps & more caps.