Expired Marine Flare Collection for East Contra Costa and Alameda Counties

Boat owners in East Contra Costa County and Alameda County will have an opportunity to dispose of expired marine flares on Sunday, November 14.

East Contra Costa County boat owners can drop off old marine flares from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 2550 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway, Pittsburg. Alameda County boat owners can drop off their flares from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. by making an appointment online at www.stopwaste.org/marineflares. The drop-off location will be shared in the confirmation email. Proof of residency or marina berth is required.

As an added incentive to support boating safety and the environment, qualified residents and owners of recreational vessels who moor in East Contra Costa County (Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Oakley, and Pittsburg) and Alameda County will receive a free US Coast Guard-approved eVDSD by Sirius Signal. The eVDSDs will be available while supplies last. Also offered is a free CA Boater Kit with green boating products, boating discount coupons and more.

Only recreational boat marine-signaling devices such as handheld flares, aerial signals and smoke signals will be accepted. This excludes flares from commercial vessels, military, businesses or organizations. Those dropping off flares must wear a mask and remain in their vehicles while expired flares will be unloaded from an unlocked trunk or back cargo space. For more information call (800) 606-6606.

Marine flares are required to be carried aboard recreational boats for emergency signaling. However, because they expire 42 months after manufacture, they need to be replaced about every three seasons of boating. A 2012 study found that every year California boaters generate 174,000 pyrotechnic marine flares, an explosive hazardous waste that contains toxic chemicals such as perchlorate. There are currently only two collection sites in California that will accept and dispose of outdated flares, presenting a safety hazard and disposal challenge.

The events are offered by Alameda County, Delta Diablo, and the California Product Stewardship Council in partnership with CalRecycle, California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission California Boating Clean and Green Program and the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.