Single-use Marine Flares (whether handheld or used with a launcher), are considered pyrotechnic, and expire 42 months after the date of manufacture, in accordance with the United States Coast Guard requirements. Typically, this means that such flares should be replaced every three boating seasons.
Do not throw these marine flares into the garbage or recycling, or in any body of water like oceans, lakes or rivers. The flares also cannot be sent to the Santa Cruz County Household Hazardous Waste center or landfill, as they are highly dangerous for sanitation workers or others to handle.
While there is not a current disposal site in the County of Santa Cruz for these kinds of flares, the Counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo have a program through Clean Harbors Waste Disposal Services, that includes the picking up and disposal of these items, which is available to Santa Cruz County residents when needed. To schedule a pickup of your used or expired flares, please call their office at 1-408-521-5000.
An alternative option to these potentially hazardous items are reusable electronic distress signals (eVDSDs). These visual signals do not expire, and are US Coast Guard approved.