Marine Flares (Single-Use Pyrotechnic) Alternative ways to recycle Illegal in Garbage, Recycling & Drains Special Instructions Please note that the Napa-Vallejo Household Hazardous Waste Facility does not accept marine flares. For disposal of expired marine flares, please contact the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (800-728-6942) or https://dtsc.ca.gov/ for assistance. We also suggest contacting the nearest Coast Guard Station (Vallejo) for additional information. All boaters are urged to switch to reusable electronic visual distress devices (eVDSDs) instead of single-use marine flares. eVDSDs are Coast Guard approved, never expire, and can last a lifetime. Find more marine flare info here. Never Throw in Garbage or Recycling Marine flares are dangerous for sanitation workers to handle. Do not place in any of your curbside containers and treat as hazardous waste. Never Dispose of in Lakes, Rivers or Oceans Because they contain metals and toxic chemicals such as perchlorate, marine flares are illegal to dispose of in drains or bodies of water. The harmful chemicals can leach into drinking water supply and pose a threat to the environment and our health. Handle with Care – Emergency Use Only Flares with self-contained launchers should be treated like firearms. If misfired or improperly used, flares can cause fires or bodily injuries. Use only for emergency purposes. Store and transport with care when not in use. Contact Law Enforcement Marine flares generally cannot be disposed of with household hazardous waste because they are explosives and have their own set of regulations. Contact the police or fire department for further instructions. Call the Department of Toxic Substances Control Besides contacting the fire department, the California Coastal Commission also recommends contacting the DTSC (Department of Toxic Substances Control) hotline (800-728-6942) for assistance in finding disposal options for marine flares. Alternative Ways to Recycle Donate Expired Flares Check with the Coast Guard Auxiliary to see if they are currently accepting expired flares for training purposes. Ways to Reduce Use Reusable Distress Signals Consider using reusable electronic visual distress devices (eVDSDs) over single-use marine flares. EVDSDs do not expire and are Coast Guard-approved. More on this topic and other marine electronics can be found here. Did You Know? Check the Expiration Date Single-use pyrotechnic signal devices (including aerial flares and handheld signals) expire 42 months after the date of manufacture in accordance with the United States Coast Guard requirements, according to Orion Signals. Learn About the Different Types of Marine Flares
