Following consultation with the public and the stakeholders, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has introduced new regulations to reduce the impacts of a number of products.

 "Balloons and confetti are part of life's colourful moments, but when released into the sky, the plastic ones don't just 'float away'... they come back down as litter that harms our seas, and our wildlife," it said.

Under the new rules, "there will be no more open-air release of any type of balloons, no more open-air release of plastic confetti, no more selling or using plastic confetti (after a 6-month transition)."

These regulations will come into force in two months time.

ERA said that balloons can still be used for celebrations: they just need to be weighted down.

"These changes are part of Malta's ongoing effort to reduce plastic litter and keep our island clean and beautiful. Together, we can celebrate responsibly and take care of the environment we love. Thank you for doing your part," ERA says.