Ipswich Borough Council is instructing all its service areas not to launch balloons as part of any promotional event or launch.
This is being introduced in support of the Marine Conservation Society's "Let It Go" campaign which aims to help prevent harm to wildlife. Species such as dolphins, turtles and land-based wildlife can suffocate after ingesting deflated balloons, which can travel miles from the site of launch.
The council will continue to use balloons at indoor events at its facilities, such as children's parties and weddings, as these will not have an impact on the MCS campaign.