News Release

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 06, 2026

Multiple California Regions to Host Free Marine Flare Collection Events in October 2026

Division of Boating and Waterways

Contact:
Newsroom@parks.ca.gov 

 

Marine Flare Recycle Table

Several counties and agencies in California will host free expired marine flare collection events throughout the state this month. Photo from California State Parks.

SACRAMENTO – California boaters will be able to safely dispose of their expired marine flares at various locations across the state this month for free. In partnership with the California State Parks’ and California Coastal Commission’s Boating Clean and Green Program and the California Product Stewardship Council, events will be hosted by Alameda County, West Contra Costa County, Marin County, San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County, Orange County, Ventura County and the Port of San Diego. In addition to disposing of expired marine flares, the events will offer opportunities for the public to learn about safer, reusable alternatives to traditional pyrotechnic distress signals.

Collection events will be open only to residents and boaters who live in or berth their boats in the participating regions. Proof of eligibility, such as residency, boat registration or a slip fee is required. Please check the details below for events with additional requirements.

Southern California Collection Events (link to flyer)

Saturday, Oct. 24

  • Orange County – Sunset Aquatic Marina, 2901 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92649, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • San Diego County – Shelter Island Boat Ramp, 2210 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106, 8 a.m. to noon.
  • Ventura County – Channel Islands Harbor Marina, 3850 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard, CA, 93035, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Northern California Collection Events (link to flyer)

Wednesday, Oct. 14 to Saturday, Oct. 24

  • West Contra Costa County – West Contra Costa County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 101 Pittsburg Ave., Richmond, CA 94801, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Limited to residents and participants in specific cities. See the flyer for additional information.

Sunday, Oct. 25

  • Alameda County – Location available after registration, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. NOTE: by appointment ONLY made at stopwaste.org/marineflares.
  • Marin County – Clipper Yacht Harbor, 310 Harbor Drive, Sausalito, CA 94965, 8 a.m. to noon.
  • Santa Cruz County – Santa Cruz Harbor Maintenance Yard, 425 Brommer St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • San Mateo County – Pillar Point Harbor, 1 Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. NOTE: by appointment ONLY by calling (650) 372-6200 (M-F) or visiting smchealth.org/hhw. Open ONLY to San Mateo County residents, boaters who berth in the county and county commercial boaters who generate less than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of hazardous waste per month.

Why Marine Flare Disposal Matters
California boaters are required to carry U.S. Coast Guard-approved visual distress signals, including pyrotechnic marine flares. These flares expire after approximately 42 months and then become hazardous waste that can be difficult and costly to dispose of properly. An estimated 174,000 expired marine flares are generated by recreational boaters in California each year.

While there is currently no permanent statewide disposal program for expired flares, proper disposal helps protect California’s communities, waterways and environment. Improper disposal, including placing flares in the trash or throwing them into waterways, can create serious safety and environmental hazards.

Learn More
To learn more about safely managing expired marine flares and exploring reusable, electronic alternatives, visit calpsc.org/marineflareswitchcampaign and dbw.parks.ca.gov/marineflares. For more information, please contact Vivian Matuk, environmental boating program manager at Vivian.Matuk@coastal.ca.gov or call (916) 764-0989.

 Marine Flare Recycling Event Partner Logos

 

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