Santa Barbara asks confetti fans to limit how much makes it into local waterways and beaches

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Confetti is a big part of area celebrations such as Old Spanish Days and Fourth of July, but the City of Santa Barbara wants to remind celebrators that plastic confetti, such as sequins and glitter, can have a damaging impact on the local environment.

Even beloved cascarones, or confetti-filled eggs, can be considered damaging to the environment.

Plastics, especially smaller pieces like you might find in confetti, can be mistaken as food or be accidentally eaten by area animals as well as end up in waterways and eventually the ocean where it can pose a threat to a variety of ocean life.

The City of Santa Barbara offers the following information during confetti celebrations:

• Storm drains lead to our creeks and ocean untreated
• Confetti can be mistaken for food by birds, fish, and other wildlife
• Shiny metallic confetti, sequins, and glitter are all made of plastic, which is not biodegradable
• Throwing confetti and leaving it behind is littering

Are you a vendor that makes or distributes cascarones? Or, like yours truly, find yourself covered in cascarones confetti from time to time? Click here for an informational PDF.