What goes up must come down. And that’s turning out to be a bit of a problem for some people on Bainbridge Island.

Councilman Mike Scott is one. He’s asking his fellow council members to consider a ban on the sale of balloons.

A proposed ordinance will go before the city council at its meeting next week for an initial discussion.

The new regulations would consider expanding the definition of “litter” to include the uncontrolled release of balloons.

The ordinance would not only prohibit the sale of balloons that are lighter than air — critics say such balloons can eventually wind up in the water and kill birds, marine mammals and other creatures — but also the sale and use of “any type of balloon that is not 100 percent biodegradable (including, but not limited to, any balloon containing plastic, metal, or Mylar).”

The new regulations would also prohibit people from releasing any balloons into the environment on Bainbridge, including balloons used for public and private events, celebrations and business promotions.

Weather balloons, hot air balloons, and balloons used by the government and scientists for research projects would be exempt from the ban.

Scott was not immediately available for comment Friday, but city officials said cities and states elsewhere in the country have banned the sale of Mylar balloons, and some governments have also adopted restrictions on the release of lighter-than-air balloons. States with restrictions on balloon sales include California, Florida, Connecticut, Tennessee and Virginia.

Bainbridge also notes that the cities of San Fransisco, California; Louisville, Kentucky; Baltimore and Ocean City, Maryland; and Nantucket and Provincetown, Maine have rules on the purchase and sale of balloons.

Bainbridge’s proposed ordinance says that “the city of Bainbridge Island should be a leader in encouraging action in other jurisdictions, particularly in coastal areas throughout Washington, where balloon releases and litter are particularly harmful.”

The Bainbridge council will next meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5.

The Bainbridge balloon ban will be discussed during the “new business” portion of the agenda.