Regulations require that all motorized boats over 16 feet in length and boats operated at night in coastal waters have a minimum of three visual distress signals on board for emergency situations (NJSP, 2011). While items such as U.S. Coast Guard Certified orange distress flags and electric distress lights meet the regulation, people often purchase marine flares to fulfill this requirement. Marine flares must also be U.S. Coast Guard Certified, must be within the 42-month expiration date, and be readily accessible for use (NJSP, 2011). Once expired, these flares do not count towards the three daytime and three nighttime signals required to be on board, and a boater may be fined by enforcement authorities for lacking proper signals.

Expired marine flares are considered hazardous waste. They are explosive and present a safety hazard when disposed of improperly (McKee, 2000). Boaters who are not aware of this may dispose of expired flares in an unsafe manner or accumulate them onboard boats or in storage. Right now, the best way to dispose of expired flares is to contact local U.S. Coast Guard offices, or fire or police departments for options (see "How to Dispose of Expired Marine Flares"). Some New Jersey counties also offer disposal through local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs for county residents or through special marine flare disposal events (see Table 1). Although expired hand-held flares are sometimes kept as back-ups to current, non-expired marine flares, manufacturers caution that flares may not function properly past their expiration date.

Because of the safety risks and the pollution potential of expired marine flares, it is important to dispose of them properly. Long-term storage creates a fire hazard, whether on board a boat, or in a car or garage. Soaking flares in water and then throwing them in the trash creates a pollution problem, as the flares contain perchlorate, a pollutant of concern (Lee, 2004). Hazardous waste permits are required to transport flares in bulk, which makes large-scale collection expensive and difficult. With more than 133,000 registered boats in the state of New Jersey (USCG, 2021), and many travelers from out of state using our water bodies, it is crucial that residents dispose of expired marine flares properly as agencies and organizations work toward a permanent solution.

For more information regarding expired flares, contact your local county Household Hazardous Waste Program in Table 1 or by visiting njhazwaste.com/counties. Please call your county program to confirm HHW days and what materials they accept.

How to Dispose of Expired Marine Flares

Acknowledgement: This fact sheet is based on the original work of Cara Muscio, former agent in Monmouth, Ocean, and Atlantic counties.

References

• Lee, G.F. (2004) Unrecognized Environmental Pollutants (PDF). Stormwater Runoff Water Quality Science/Engineering Newsletter Devoted to Urban/Rural Stormwater Runoff Water Quality Management Issues, 7(3): 1-9. Accessed: 1/9/25.
• McKee, C. (2000) Waste Visual Distress Signal Flares Generated by Recreational Boaters: An Environmental Problem Solving Action Plan for Safe Collection and Disposal (PDF). Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed: 7/16/21.
• New Jersey State Police (NJSP). (2011) New Jersey State Police Boating Safety Manual (PDF). Accessed: 7/16/21.
• United States Coast Guard (USCG). (2021) 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics, United States Department of Homeland Security, COMDTPUB P16754.34 (PDF). Accessed: 1/9/25.

February 2025