Dear Editor,
As the proud owner of Party Unlimited Supplies in Culver City, I’ve spent years helping local families and businesses create meaningful celebrations. In the aftermath of COVID-19, we’ve worked tirelessly to rebuild our business and support our community. However, the proposed balloon sales ban threatens to undo the progress we’ve made and harms local businesses like mine—while failing to address the real issue: improper balloon disposal.
At Party Unlimited Supplies, we are committed to educating our customers about the proper use and disposal of balloons. We take great care to ensure that all inflated balloons leave our store weighted and in secure transport bags to prevent them from escaping into the environment. We do not sell balloons intended for release. Our goal is to provide a safe, responsible product for responsible consumers.
The claim that balloon sales significantly contribute to pollution in Culver City is misleading. Over 60% of balloons are used indoors and are filled with air. Banning balloon sales will not solve this issue. Instead, the City should focus on banning intentional releases without penalizing responsible businesses like mine.
Beyond being ineffective, this ban would devastate local businesses, including my customers who are event planners and balloon artists—forcing them to shop outside Culver City, reducing tax revenue, and leading to job losses. Rather than an outright ban, the City should focus on public education that promotes responsible use.
After years of working to recover from the pandemic, this ban would be a major setback for my business. It would push customers to shop elsewhere or online, harming our local economy and reducing tax revenue. This approach unfairly targets small businesses like mine while offering no real solution to the problem.
I urge city leaders to reject this ban and instead collaborate with local businesses on public education efforts that protect the environment without hurting our community.
Sincerely,
Shahnaz Damji