San Mateo County boaters get rare free chance to dispose of expired marine flares this Sunday
San Mateo, California – A marine flare can save lives during an emergency at sea. But once it expires, that same piece of safety equipment becomes a disposal problem that ordinary trash services cannot handle.
For boat owners along the San Mateo County coast, getting rid of old flares is not as simple as dropping them off at a local waste facility. This weekend, however, a special collection event in Half Moon Bay will offer an unusual opportunity to dispose of them safely, without paying a fee.
The San Mateo County Harbor District, working with San Mateo County Environmental Health Services, will host a free marine flare disposal event on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Pillar Point Harbor. The collection will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1 Johnson Pier in Half Moon Bay.
The four-hour event is intended for eligible county residents and boaters who have expired or unwanted marine flares. Participation is free, but appointments are mandatory, and organizers will require documentation showing that participants meet the eligibility rules.
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The collection addresses a problem that extends beyond San Mateo County.
According to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, expired marine flares must be handled by a hazardous waste facility authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to manage explosives.
California currently has no permitted facility capable of accepting these materials for disposal. That leaves boaters with limited options when their emergency signaling equipment reaches the end of its useful life.
To overcome that obstacle, the San Mateo County Harbor District is paying a specialized contractor to collect the unwanted flares and transport them to an approved disposal facility outside California.
The arrangement allows participants to turn over eligible flares locally rather than having to arrange specialized disposal themselves.
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Liliana Mejia, deputy director of Environmental Health Services, emphasized why proper handling matters.
“Marine flares are made to burn hot and bright, which is exactly why they shouldn’t end up in the trash,” Mejia said.
“This event gives boaters a free, simple way to dispose of flares they no longer need. Book an appointment, bring proof of residency, berth or business address, and we’ll handle the rest.”
However, the event is not open to everyone.
Participation is restricted to San Mateo County residents, boaters whose vessels are berthed in the county, and county commercial boaters generating less than 100 kilograms of hazardous waste per month.
Those attending must present proof of their San Mateo County residency, boat berth or business address.
Organizers will accept three categories of marine signaling devices: hand-held flares, aerial flares and smoke signal flares.
Other equipment will not qualify. Road flares, electronic flares and military flares are specifically excluded, and participants cannot bring additional household or commercial hazardous waste for collection.
Residents and boaters planning to attend should make arrangements before arriving at the harbor.
Appointments can be scheduled through the county’s Household Hazardous Waste Program or by calling (650) 372-6200.
Additional information is available on the San Mateo County Health event page.
For boaters storing outdated emergency flares, Sunday’s collection offers a practical way to remove potentially dangerous materials while ensuring they reach a facility equipped to dispose of them properly.
With no permitted marine flare disposal facility available in California, the locally organized collection also highlights the importance of specialized disposal programs for hazardous boating equipment.
