Noho Tech Entrepreneurs Advocate for Ban on Disposable Water Balloons

Some tech entrepreneurs from Noho are urging the city to prohibit the use of “disposable” water balloons in parks and playgrounds.

Di Chang, who has initiated a petition, notes that during summer, many of New York City’s parks—especially crowded playgrounds and splash pads—end up littered with bits of plastic from broken water balloons. While it may seem like innocent fun, the consequences can be serious. The petition has garnered around 200 signatures so far.

The request is directed towards the Parks Bureau and city council, seeking to eliminate balloons that burst upon impact.

Chang, who is 40, expressed interest in having “post-educational signs” to inform about the environmental effects of these balloons and the leftover rubber debris that can accumulate in playgrounds and splash pads.

It’s worth noting that it’s unclear whether Chan has children who might be affected by this issue.

She explained that the campaign isn’t solely focused on banning items, but rather on promoting better habits concerning waste management.

Chang also argued that the remnants of balloons present a hazard to wildlife—although she did not elaborate on specific instances.

Moreover, the petition highlights that the remnants from these balloons could lead to choking hazards or tripping risks for small children.

“Every summer, you can find pieces of broken plastic water balloons scattered in urban parks,” the petition states, reiterating the potential dangers involved.

It suggests alternatives like reusable water balloon exchanges and community clean-up efforts.

Malone, the inventor of a popular water balloon product, is skeptical of the need for a ban. He argues that water balloons offer a means for children to cool off and have fun during hot weather. He emphasizes that it’s essential for visitors to clean up after themselves in public spaces, drawing a parallel to other activities like taking pets to the park or enjoying popsicles.

In summary, while there’s a push for stricter regulations regarding disposable water balloons, opinions on the necessity of such a ban vary.