How to Safely Get Rid of Unwanted Flares
FLARE and signals CONSUMPTION Servises
Most pyrotechnic signaling devices, including marine flares, road flares, and handheld signals, expire 42 months after their manufacture date. Therefore, users need to dispose of their flares every three years.
Flares are considered explosive hazardous waste and should never be thrown overboard, activated in the marine environment, or placed in household trash.
While small amounts of consumer fireworks can be soaked in water for disposal, this method is not suitable for flares. Flares contain perchlorate, a pollutant, so soaking them in water is not viable. Most states prohibit disposing of hazardous waste like flares in waterways, trash, and municipal landfills.
The USCG, USCG Auxiliary, and Power Squadron can no longer accept outdated marine flares due to safety concerns, leaving fire services, police departments, and other agencies with large quantities of flares to dispose of. Currently, no federal or state government entities accept flares or provide disposal guidance.
Fortunately, we can help! We offer a simple program for consumption of unused or expired flares of all types. Just give us a call or send us a message.
Hazards of Storing Outdated Flares
Keeping expired flares on your vessel, in your truck, or at home is risky as older flares may become unstable and their burn rates unpredictable. Expired flares may work past their expiration date, but the risk of misfire or fizzle increases, potentially leading to accidents and injuries and leaving you without an emergency signal when needed.
Consumers usually take small amounts of expired flares to local hazardous waste facilities, bomb squads, or places of purchase. But what happens after that? This is where we come in.
We help police departments, fire departments, bomb squads, hazardous waste facilities, city management offices, and other organizations to get rid of large quantities of expired and hazardous flares. The extensive regulations regarding classification and transportation can be overwhelming for those responsible for flare disposal. And fortunately, we can help!
We offer a simple program for all types of unused and expired flares. Just give us a call or send us a message.
Flares and the Environment
The seepage of toxic chemicals from pyrotechnic flares into soil or groundwater should concern us all. Perchlorates, common in many flares, can affect thyroid function in humans.
In addition to perchlorates, flares contain multiple toxic chemicals that can pollute our drinking water supply and harm the environment when improperly disposed of. A study found that just one improperly disposed marine flare can contaminate up to 240,000 gallons of groundwater.
Environmentally Friendly Consumption of Flares
If you’re looking for ways to get rid of your flares, look no further! We offer environmentally friendly solutions for all types of flares, including road flares, strikable marine flares, flare gun ammunition, and more.
The flares you get rid of through us are used in training operations across the United States, fulfilling their original intended use as non-life-saving signaling devices and complying with federal regulations.
Every situation is unique, and we can offer tailored solutions to meet the needs of your specific flare project. Contact us to learn how we can assist you.
Want to get rid of your flares safely? Call us now!
