Expired Flares

[Mistrsea]

How doe one properly dispose of expired flares, live in LA County, cannot find anyone who will take them.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard,

Ask the fire department, USCG Auxilliary or Power Squadron. Or just keep them for back-up.

 

[Frank Acampora]

I keep mine as spares and when they get a bit older I shoot them off for the 4th of July.

 

[Grub54891]

Same as above. The 4th we are firing up lots of stuff anyway, so the expired flares go to...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hand held flares get tossed in the fire pit. I also suggest launching flares with fireworks. Either new years eve or 4th of July

 

[airshot]

Yep same here use them 4th or new years, also keep some in the car for emergencies. Probably have about 2 dozen expired flares and yes they still work fine, have handed them out to emergency crews working on accidents on highways, they appreciate a few extra. Of all the years we have been required flares I have never not had one fire when needed
Mod EDIT govt comment removed
Compare the price for road and marine flares..wow...that's an eye opener!!

 

[MTboatguy]

There is no reason to get rid of them, the Flare police are not going to come around and give you a ticket, just put them into backup status and continue to have a great time out on the water.

 

[smokeonthewater]

if I just HAD to discard them, I'd shoot/burn em in a safe location during daylight hours.... a flare in daylight is not even interesting.

 

[gm280]

I actually did a little research on expired flares to see what folks have to say about them. Seem the EPA has once again started a requirement without any way to dispose of them after their expiration dates. You are required to have them by the Fed rules for boating in large water, but there is absolutely no place to dispose of them. And since they now are considered toxic waste, the EPA has made the usual places stop taking them. Emergency Crews, Firefighters, and typical emergency group will no longer accept expired flare under penalty from the EPA. And you are not supposed to even throw them into the normal trash can either. So it seem if you follow the latest RULES, you can't get rid of them anywhere. But I would most certainly fire them off for the fun of it and take my chances. But not on the water... JMHO!