Nation 18,000 pieces of balloon waste found in Great Lakes: ‘When you let go of a balloon, you’re littering’ June 19, 2019Keith Matheny, Detroit Free PressComments Off on 18,000 pieces of balloon waste found in Great Lakes: ‘When you let go of a balloon, you’re littering’ "The bottom line is, when you let go of a balloon, you're littering," one volunteer said. Now five states have limits or bans on balloon releases.