Ammunition and Flares are Not Accepted at NEDT Collection Centers
The following information is provided to help you find alternatives for disposal. Explosives and explosive waste are not accepted at NEDT collection centers. Exercise caution when it comes to storing and disposing of these products.
Certain products you store at home pose explosive hazards that need to be accounted for when it comes to handling, storage, and disposal. While many of these only pose hazards in very specific situations, such as pressurized containers or flammable chemicals, others have much higher explosive risk and tight regulations on disposal. Two of these products are firearm ammunition and emergency flares, both of which require safety and disposal options not available at Collection Centers. Learn more about your options below and learn more about products NEDT doesn’t accept here.
Hazards
- Caution should be used around all forms of explosives and pyrotechnics, including flares, ammunition, and fireworks. For more information, see this blog, Dealing with Explosive Hazardous Waste, Including Firework Disposal.
- Ammunition may be unstable if exposed to heat.
- Extreme caution must be exercised when lighting flares.
- Flares produce a large amount of smoke when lit.
Handling
- Store flares in a dry location. Keep out of reach of children or pets.
- Keep ammunition in a dry location, away from heat.
- Remember that first aid and emergency kits may contain flares, so check them before disposal or improper storage.
Management Options
For ammunition:
- Call your local rod & gun club to see if they can use it.
- Ask your local police department if they have a use for it or if they can store it.
- Arrange for a hazardous waste transporter to ship the ammunition to a specialized treatment facility for safe disposal.
For flares:
- Call the local fire department to see if it can accept them. Some collect flares for donation to fire safety training academies.
- Contact the MassDOT Highway Division district office nearest you to see if it may be able to use road flares for upcoming construction projects.
- Ask the U.S. Coast Guard or a yacht club to arrange a “demo day” for boaters on how to use flares. Note: Do not light boat flares without Coast Guard permission as it is a federal offense to falsely signal an emergency.
- Check with the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla or Power Squadrons to see if they can use them.
- Your flares may be able to be disposed of at home. Check your packaging and contact the manufacturer for your options.
This information was brought to you by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and NEDT. For more information, including links to their guides, visit our Fact Sheets & Links page, and make sure to check out our NEDT Blog and Household Hazardous Products Resources for more in-depth information.
