how to dispose of old ammunition in california

This article was co-authored by Bryan Villella and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. I have a box of 30/30 winchester that is valued at $125.00 for the box of 20. Factory ammo is also made to very high standards and exacting specifications that will help to ensure that it maintains a shelf life that lasts for many years. OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers, California Department of Toxic Substance Control (CDTSC). In addition, your locality may have laws forbidding such practices. You may have inherited a firearm and ammunition from a loved one who has passed away or you might have won a bid at a blind auction. What Is the Most Common Ammunition in the U.S.? Recycling Dont call 911; call their local number and ask if theyll take ammunition. If there is liquid or if it's attached to a battery, dispose at a HHWCC. Do not bring firearms or ammunition into the station. From May 12 to 30, residents can drop off their recycling, garbage and household items for free or discounted rates at both the new Central Surrey and North Surrey Recycling and Waste Centres. Yet another option that we recommend for the safe disposal of old ammo is to contact your local gun store. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Its the bullet itself thats problematic. Therefore, inquire with staff about where you should drop off your ammunition. The Survival Journal is the premier survival and preparedness newsletter. Sadly, many of these are questionable at best and outright old wives tales at worst. You can simply toss the gunpowder in your houseplants or your backyard garden. Notify the Police Call the non-emergency number of the police to let them know you need to dispose of ammunition. This puts sanitary service personnel at risk. Brian formerly managed the Earth911 Recycling Search and shared green living tips and tricks on Earth911s Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter accounts. 5. Recommendations for EPA Regional Offices on Preliminary Assessments and Site Inspections for the Department of Defense Military Munitions Response Program (OSWER Directive 9200.3-60) - April 5, 2010. It can be tempting to just toss them out with the morning garbage. This is something that most gun ranges already do. Only use a little at one time, and then using your fuse, light up the powder. Help protect the environment by getting rid of your ammo the proper way. This creates a real safety hazard and it is also not eco-friendly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAvLAsyTVC0. If you reside within the City of San Diego, your local fire station will accept personal use amounts of unaltered ammunition (no larger than 50 caliber), reloading supplies, and fireworks for disposal. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Along with controlled substances. To be safe, never use a tool that's not intended for bullets to try this. While the gunpowder can be used in fertilizer, the rest of a cartridge is not good for the environment. One option that you might consider for getting rid of that old, unsafe ammo is to get ahold of your local police department. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 11,234 times. Some suggest that one can dispose of gunpowder by spreading it in the garden as fertilizer. What you really need to keep an eye out for if you are planning to use old ammo that you have come into is green corrosion. No matter how harmless you think you look, you never want to take the chance that someone misunderstands your purpose for being there with a weapon. Then it could be buried (if city/county ordinance did not prevent) , never to be dealt with again. In addition, many gun stores have regular customers who spend many hours at the store, and some may reload ammunition. Any unwanted ammunition or fireworks can be surrendered to the San Jose Police Department where they will be disposed of properly. He leads certified training courses necessary to get licensed through the state to work in the private security field. Use 911 only for emergencies!). How To Find Ammo (& Reloading Supplies) During Shortage. Many people think that just because ammunition is "old" that it isn't any good - it depends on how it was stored! You must have the right tools and be willing to learn how to identify rounds that are in the right condition for reloading. This leads to the question, How do I safely dispose of old ammo. Seriously, as long as it was kept dry, it should still fire. If you are like me, you are probably wanting to know more about why it is the case that ammo can become unsafe to use and what the signs are that it is degrading. Pull any rounds that seem short or unusual, and set them aside. Alternatively, burying ammo could impact the local wildlife by poisoning drinking water or seeping into the soil and absorbed by local plant life. by Mike V. | Firearm Care and Maintenance, Reloading. Simply provide the ammunition to the front desk or range safety officer for disposal. Above are acceptable options for recycling or disposing of ammo. I've got German 8mm from 1939. Before making your appointment, please confirm that your items are . Appointments can be made by calling 530-583-7800. You may contact those sites directly with any questions, requests or updates. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This is not safe. Thank you for the information. The caveat to this long shelf life is the same as it is with all things related to firearms: It's better to be safe than sorry. So what are you supposed to do with unwanted ammunition? But, if this sounds interesting to you, I highly recommend you check out my article on reloading because youre a prime candidate for making your own ammunition. If they cant take your ammo, they may be able to recommend the best option in your area. The brass casing is recyclable, so after a round has been fired at the range, this portion can be recycled. There are a lot of reasons why you might find yourself in the possession of old ammunition. Most will have a special drop-off location or pick-up date for hazardous waste. The oil will get in and destroy the powder . This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. These products must be used carefully and disposed of properly. Copyright 2022 Ammunition Depot, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Unleashing the Firepower of John Wick 4: The Top Featured Guns and Ammo, Florida Becomes the 26th State to Adopt Constitutional Carry, Gear Review: Rattlesnake Tactical Medium Range Bag, How to Transfer Ownership of a Gun: State by State, Best of the Best, September 2022 Gun Giveaway (CONTEST ENDED). Other trash can act as a firing pin in the event a trash compactor or other device is used. If you've lately come into possession of outdated ammunition, you've probably wondered if it can explode. Earth911 is a universal resource that helps you find your own shade of green. More ideas make less waste! With these points made, it is worth looking further into this important topic. Need to get rid of it but not sure where it goes? I believe in Americans learning self-defense and safety skills so they can defend themselves and their families. Visit RecycleBC.ca/Hazardous to learn more and access the online depot California Gun Services helps local Orange County Citizens safely remove your unwanted guns and ammunition. As far as I recall, you are only required to have an ammunition vendors license (automatically given to FFLs) if you sell more than 500 rounds in a 30 day period. This is another great option for . Local gun ranges will sometimes collect dud rounds or unused ammunition and dispose of them properly. Old ammunition can explode and should always be treated with great care if it shows any signs of degradation. If separated, small-arms ball projectiles The water or oil may not make it into the cartridge, or the gunpowder could dry out, making the cartridge dangerous once again if thrown into the trash. Many have a special container where you can discard dud rounds. Message and data rates may apply. Find a Location to Recycle or Dispose of Safely. The truth is, no one knows the exact shelf-life for ammunition. I have been told that may not be possible. Any quality gun range should have a plan for dangerous or discarded rounds, probably involving local law enforcement or a recycling company. Contact the manufacturer or local metal recyclers for possible recycling. Preferably lock your firearm (s) in a secure container. These torch cuts are acceptable alternatives to shredding. You might also ask about ammo disposal at indoor ranges. Some stations will accept ammunition in small amounts. Always make sure you have your driver's license or some form of identification with you. Leftover cleaning products, pesticides, flammable or poisonous garden products can go to an OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. The good news is that ammunition has a very long shelf life most manufacturers list their products as having around a 10-year lifespan. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Many ranges will collect dud rounds (cartridges that dont fire when the trigger is pulled) and dispose of them properly. Don't store road flares in a way that the striker ends and ignition buttons face each other. Therefore, an in-person return is your best option. Several crates broke open - exposing the munitions. Copyright Ammotogo.com 2023 All Rights Reserved. This is no surprise because the truth is that you can often use old ammo without any issue. However, you can call your local waste management department to find out what to do with it. OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers can accept road flares.OPTIONS:Call your local police station or sheriff department for ammunition or gun take back days. Dont just show up with your misfit rounds, however. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The biggest risk is lead. You want to make sure that you are acting responsibly when you are dealing with any ammunition whether it is new or old. Required fields are marked *. Ballistics experts have reported that ammo ranging from 20 to 50 years old will fire with no problem as long as it was stored the right way. While its not illegal to throw away bullets in most areas, you still shouldnt do it because its so dangerous. Since I'm planning on selling off all my firearms, I will be left with a fair amount of ammunition in various calibers. Contacting your local law enforcement office or fire department is another way to dispose of unwanted ammunition. Businesses may also dispose of hazardous materials on the third Friday of each month for a fee and with appointments. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The metals can each be recycled, and the gunpowder can be reused as fertilizer. Once taken apart, the cartridge is no longer dangerous. Soil amounts less than 5 cubic yards can go to a landfill. Corrosion is an indication that moisture has contaminated the round. However, in many instances, as long as the ammunition isn't exposed to high heat or excessive moisture, it could last for years or even decades past the published expiration date. Some Nike stores in the US and Europe offer shoe recycling, so check your local store and see if they participate. MS. There are also hazardous waste centers that take bad ammo for safe disposal. Store in a cool, dry area that is locked or out of reach of children and pets. I reside in California. Message frequency varies. If you have questions about specific materials, please contact us or call 208-608-7136. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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