Safety On Board            Seguridad Abordo

Disposal of Out-of-Date Flares and other hazardous wastes    Updated June 1, 2001

Many boaters end up with out of date flares on their boat. However, until we actually get around to replacing them, we don't really stop to think: where do you dispose of old flares? They definitely have toxic or dangerous materials inside, so just chucking them into the trash bin at the dock seems too casual and irresponsible. Boaters who sail in Florida waters can use the following locations to dispose of flares and other hazardous wastes.

According to a pamphlet produced by Florida's Department of Environmental Protection:

• Flares are hazardous waste due to reactivity, and some also contain toxic metals.
• Florida boaters generate over 500,000 out-of-date flares annually.
• Approximately 50% of boaters do not know that discarded flares are hazardous waste.
• Many boaters throw out-of-date flares in the trash, creating a public hazard.
• Some boaters dispose of old flares in the water, many of these flares wash up onto our local beaches.
• Soaking flares in water is not a good disposal option since some flares react when exposed to water.
• Out of date flares may be kept on board as extras for emergencies, but over time they are less reliable.
• It is against the law to ignite flares in non-emergency situations on regulated waters. Excess false alarms could lead you, or someone you love stranded in a real emergency.

Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties all have flare and hazardous waste collection centers:

Monroe County (Florida Keys)    The Monroe county sheriff accepts flares from boaters at their sub-stations throughout the county. Please call (305) 295-4314 to find the one closest to you. Monroe county now accepts hazarous chemicals free of charge. There are three collection centers located throughout the Keys, open from 10 am to 2 pm:

Cudjoe Key Transfer Station, MM21.5  1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

Key Largo Recycling Yard, MM 100.3  2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month.

Long Key Transfer Station, MM 68       1st & 3rd Fridays of each month.

Monroe County accepts the following hazardous wastes:

Latex and oil based paints & stains

Used oil & hydraulic fluids

Paint thinners, strippers & reducers

Household cleaning products

Car and boat waxes & polishes

Batteries (car, household,  boat)

Corrosives (muriatic acid, lye, etc.)

Adhesives, putty & caulk

Roof tar and patching compounds

Pesticides & fertilizers

Contaminated gasoline

Pool cleaning products

Solvents

Fiberglass resins

 Antifreeze

Wood preservatives

They do not accept the following wastes:

Explosives, asbetos, biohazards, and radioactive wastes.

Monroe County Public Used Oil Collection Center Locations

Cudjoe Landfill  Mile Marker 21.5, Cudjoe Key, Fl 33042 305-745-1771

Key Largo Landfill  11180 County Rd. 905, Key Largo, Fl. 33037 305-367-3244

Discount Auto Parts  99256 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, Fl. 33037 305-451-1164

Key West Garage  35835 Roosevelt Blvd., Key West, Fl. 33040  305-292-3572

Cates Automotive, Inc.  1111 Eaton St., Key West, Fl 33040

Miami-Dade County   Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 8831 N.W. 58th St. is open Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call (305) 594-1585 for more information.

Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale)   Household Hazardous Waste collection sit3es are open Saturdays 8 a.m. ti 3 p.m.. South Trash Transfer Station, 5601 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. and North Trash Transfer Station 2780 N. Powerline Rd. in Pompano. Call (954) 765-4999 for more information.

Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach)   Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at the landfill in West Palm Beach, on Jog Rd. just north of 45th St. is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Household hazardous waste is also collected on Saturdays at various transfer stations around the county. Call (561) 687-1100 for more information.

USED OIL: Most marinas accept used oil for recycling. If not, call 1-800-741-4337 and enter your zip code or leave a message to locate the nearest Public Used Oil Collection Center.