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What are Marine Flares?
Marine Flares are visual distress signals used to summon help on boats in the event of danger and are required by the U.S. Coast Guard for boats operating on certain water ways. The U.S. Coast Guard requires that boats carry 3 visual distress signals at all times approved for both day and night use, or three for day use and three for night use. Marine flares must be stowed accessibly and must not be expired. (Source: CPSC)
PYROTECHNIC MARINE FLARES ARE CONSIDERED EXPLOSIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE WHEN DISPOSED OF AND REQUIRE SPECIAL HANDING WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED OR EXPIRED
The Problem
Single-use pyrotechnic marine flares expire and must be replaced approximately every 42 months.
However, due their classification as hazardous waste, proper disposal of these pyrotechnic marine flares is restricted and extremely expensive. The difficulty of disposal of these single-use flares causes many boaters to simply store them, dispose of them illegally in their regular garbage, or even throw them into lakes, rivers, and oceans.
Pyrotechnic marine flares contain a multitude of toxic chemicals, including perchlorate and metals, that can leech into drinking water supply and damage the environment when improperly disposed.
Furthermore, they pose a serious fire risk, especially when misfired or improperly used for celebratory occasions.
Currently in many counties in California, there is no permanent safe disposal options for single-use pyrotechnic marine flares.
TIP: Residents are urged to consider switching to reusable electronic visual distress devices (eVDSDs) over single-use marine flares. eVDSDs by Sirius Signal are Coast Guard Approved, never expire, and can last a lifetime.
If you are a resident of West Contra Costa County, get a discount on a reusable marine flare at this customized link.
While there currently are no safe, permanent disposal options in the Bay Area, Alameda County, Delta Diablo, Del Norte County, West Contra Costa County (West Contra Costa County Integrated Waste Management Authority/RecycleMore), and the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) have partnered with CalRecycle, California State Parks, Coastal Commission’s California Boating Clean and Green Program, and BoatUS Foundation, to collect expired marine flares and educate residents about marine flare management safety, including the advantages of reusable distress signals, to protect Bay Area communities and the local environment.
TEMPORARY COLLECTION EVENTS
Periodically, a special temporary event will be held to for you to bring unwanted and expired marine flares to safely drop off at a collection site. Click on the link below to view the Upcoming Events section on the right hand side of the RecycleMore News Page by selecting this link:
EMAIL LIST SERVE
NOTE: The list serve is managed by the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC)
RESOURCES
Brochure
Guide to Marine Flare Management in California (Updated 10/2025)
Videos
Watch this video to learn more about eVDSDs from the vendor, Sirius Signal.
Safe Marine Flare Management and Disposal Webinar Recording – June 20, 2023
Safe Marine Flare Management and Disposal Webinar Recording – September 29, 2022
Safe Marine Flare Management and Disposal Webinar Recording – April 26, 2022
Content and events support provided by in partnership with the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), and outreach efforts from Boating Clean and Green.
California Product Stewardship Council
The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) is a powerful network of local governments, non-government organizations, businesses, and individuals supporting policies and projects where producers share in the responsibility for managing problem products at their end of life.
Boating Clean and Green
The Boating Clean and Green Program is an education and outreach program that promotes environmentally sound boating practices to marine business and boaters in California. The program is conducted by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways and the California Coastal Commission.