Disposal of Expired Marine Flares

Expired marine flares?

The procedure is for you to take them to Nanaimo to The Harbour Chandler at 52 Esplanada (250-753-2425).

The RCMP no longer accept them, and they in turn take theirs to the Harbour Chandler where they are collected with others and eventually taken to Pacific Blasting & Disposal in Burnaby for destruction ( the RCMP have trained the staff there).  

Flares are expired after four years and some marine supplies businesses will take your expired ones when you purchase new ones from them.  They all eventually make their way to Pacific Blasting & Demolition in Burnaby.

I just checked with the Marine Branch of the RCMP in Nanaimo, and was told Harbour Chandler was the only place to take them "locally".  Transport Canada has a 2011 Memo out on this topic and says pretty much the same thing.  They are also considering extending the expiry dates on new flares, but there is no information out on that, that I could find.

The TIVFD used to take them for you and deliver them to the local RCMP detachment,  but both Ladysmith & Duncan RCMP will no longer accept them from us so we no longer wish to take them either.  You will have to make a trip to Nanaimo.  Expired flares are explosive devices and are prohibited in general waste and landfills.

J. Caldbeck

Fire Chief TIVFD