Disposal of Flares

MCA  CHANGES IN THE DISPOSAL OF TIME EXPIRED PYROTECHNICS

Flares and the Law

It is an offence to:-

• Fire Flares on land or in a Harbour
• Fire flares at sea for testing, practice or as fireworks
• Dump pyrotechnics at sea

Damaged or out of date flares should never be used.  They should be dispoed of safely as soon as possible.

DISPOSING OF UNWANTED FLARES

Only contact Marine & Coastguard Agency (MCA) when all other means of disposal have been exhausted. Our facilites are very limited and we can only accept a small number of flares from individuals. Before contacting MCA,try :-

1. The place you bought them, they may offer a take back scheme if purchasing new.
2. Marinas (a small charge may apply).
3. Life Raft Service Stations, some offer a service.
4. Local Councils , they may be accepted at local recycling centres.

If you are still unable to dispose of flares,you can contact your nearest Licened Site. We will advise if we can help.  We do not provide a collection service and we are unable to acept flares from commercial organisations.

MCA has no resposibility for disposing of flares and our storage facilities are limited. Only some of our locations are licensed to store flares.

1. On contacting MCA you will be asked:-
2. Who have you asked previously to arrange disposal?
3. How many flares you need to dispose ?
4. How old are they?
5. What condition they are in ?

If we can help, we will arrange for a time for you to deliver the flares; you may be expected to travel a long distance, or wait several weeks depending on the facilites in your area

NEVER turn up at MCA premises without prior appointment

NEVER collect flares from others

NEVER  leave flares outside MCA Premises, this is a criminal offence.

NEVER put flare in household rubbish, garden wate or public litter bins.

The sector offices at Fife Ness and Girvan are accepting flares but it is necessary to contact Aberdeen MRCC and Belfast MRCC respectivley.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR LICENSED MCA DISPOSAL SITES

THESE ARE THE ONLY NUMBERS YOU SHOULD USE IN SCOTLAND

Please refer to MCA Website for the full list

This information is in force at 23/02/2014