Parade Confetti in the Storm Drains

The long-held tradition of smashing cascarones (an empty eggshell filled with confetti) has always been a hoot - and a big part of Santa Barbara's annual Fiesta and summertime parades. The tradition was great fun until the confetti became plastic or metallic/mylar - which does not biodegrade and instead goes down the storm drain and into the ocean, where fish and other sea creatures eat it. Several years ago Heal the Ocean took up the issue with the City of Santa Barbara Creeks Division, and we were successful in getting the city to contract for the covering of storm drains during Fiesta and Summer Solstice, and the sweeping up afterward. Still, this stuff gets away in the wind, and the covers are no longer keeping the material out of the storm drains.

Heal the Ocean is working with city agencies to mitigate confetti pollution. With the help of city agencies and the community, we have seen an increase in workforce, equipment, and materials along with community education to curb the problem. We encourage the community to find alternatives to confetti including bubbles, leaf confetti, flower petals, or birdseed!

Heal the Ocean Operations Coordinator Alison Thompson created a flyer on this subject, please download it and share it with friends and family. 

Click here to read an article from the Santa Barbara Independent discussing our efforts to reduce confetti pollution.