Here in Montgomery County, MD, I'm pretty sure you could just take them to the recycle center. They take all sorts of dangerous, nasty stuff, on the theory that they'd rather you give it to them to dispose of, than dump it on some field somewhere. I thing it's really smart. Maybe check on what your local government recommends.
Expired Flares
- Thread starter zinahewitt
- Start date
So far, you need to wait for 1 day in the year
and we have a new bill SB561 that might be signed by the governor.
I guess some States are better at some things than others.
Have tried household hazardous waste centers, no go. Coast guard, no Go. Coast guard auxiliary, no go. power squadron, no go. County sherif, and local fire department, no go.
Region V EPA was working on a collection and disposal program but the initiative died when funding disappeared.
Region V EPA was working on a collection and disposal program but the initiative died when funding disappeared.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,432
I did that in Salem OR, and was told they have a policy of not accepting flares.
Now, the Police station will gladly take your prescription drugs and any firearm you want to get rid of, but the fire station has a policy on expired flares. Go figure.
there is a slight difference between flares and dynamite.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,432
Those look like new flares John. No wonder they work. As a last resort I wonder about just lighting them up on July 4 hoping that nobody would notice amongst all the other bangs and flares!
People do it up here on the first. I thought it might work on the fourth down there.
Pro tip: If you are ever uncertain if an item is a flare or a stick of dynamite, you can usually tell by the labeling. Look for the words "Acme", which will suggest TNT. To confirm, look for the presence of a plunger and/or coyotes in the vicinity.
hand held marine flares are nothing more than high quality road flares. lighting them off and letting them burn out on land should not be of any concern other then potentially starting a fire. This issue is a non-issue.
Not sure that's quite true
Road flares seem to last much longer. Road flares do not have a regulatory obsolesce and seem to last way longer. Perhaps a car trunk is a more benign environment. I have flares that were 10 or fifteen years old when I took out them of my 65 Mustang and put in our 88 Mustang 30 years ago that still looked wonderful last time I looked at them.
Can you still get road flares? Our other cars all have reflective triangles; they were a requirement in Germany.
You're right, it's not. They are chemically different - different oxidizers and different fuels. As a result, marine flares burn hotter, are harder to extinguish, and are more toxic.
But, I do think Mike is on point that this is not something one needs to worry much about. I know if it were me, I would just light them in a safe place. If they are in very poor condition, there is a non-zero chance they would sputter and burn irregularly, but that's about it.
