This Marine Information Note highlights how from 31 December 2022 HM Coastguard will stop offering a voluntary, public-facing flare disposal service to private individuals who have personal flares to dispose of. From that date, private individuals will need to use a third-party disposal service to dispose of their personal flares. This note offers guidance to private individuals on how to dispose of their flares, and private businesses that may wish to offer a disposal service.
MIN-687-Changes-to-how-individuals-can-dispose-of-redundant-marine-flares
From 31 December 2022 HM Coastguard will stop offering a voluntary, public-facing flare disposal service to private individuals who have personal flares to dispose of.
Both the Department of Transport (DfT) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have worked with the pleasure vessel sector and sector disposal services in taking forward a trustworthy and reliable set of solutions that are aimed at providing local solutions for local needs.
If you need to dispose of flares you should look at the list to see if there is a provider based near you (by boat or by car). If not, you may be able to dispose of your flares at:
- the place where you bought them
- local marinas
- possibly life raft services
- local authorities
- waste disposal businesses, some of whom do may already offer a disposal service
Other service providers offer disposal events across the country, usually at popular harbours or marinas.
You should not contact HM Coastguard to dispose of your flares after December 2022.
