how to dispose of old ammunition in california

Contact the recycling information center at 503-234-3000 if you have . If they dont collect it there, make sure you check their collection events. The water would seep down into the powder and destroy any possibility of it ever being used. 2. They will often be willing to send an officer to your location to pick it up. The metals can each be recycled, and the gunpowder can be reused as fertilizer. There is a limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of waste per vehicle. Notify the Police. Search an A-Z list of recycling options for Orange County residents. Ask about a pickup to your area for multiple unwanted firearms. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Larger quantities or pickup truck-sized loads of household hazardous waste must be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility at the Ada County Landfill. For those of you who say "sell it here".aren't private party sales of ammunition illegal? It is important to know the seven signs of "bad" ammo: Bent bullet or bent case. What about ammo that has corrosion on the case and where it is in the crease between the bullet and the casing? Arikomban, believed to be more than 30 years old, was a familiar sight for people who lived near the Devikulam forest range in Idukki district for decades. Don't dump it for nothing before checking it out! Seriously, as long as it was kept dry, it should still fire. 1 Call your local police department. 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. Yet another option that we recommend for the safe disposal of old ammo is to contact your local gun store. Business Hazardous Wastes: Pay for cost of disposal (Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG). 1-800-533-8414. info.recyclestuff . Usually, only those in close proximity to the cartridge when it detonates are at risk of injury. Dont just show up with your misfit rounds, however. In any case, whether youre a regular shooter or just like to keep a firearm around the house odds are good some day youre going to need to know how to dispose of ammunition. (Make sure you dial the police station directly. Some people will even claim the powder can be used in fertilizer. Some home construction and demolition waste may require recycling before final permits are approved. Local gun ranges will sometimes collect dud rounds or unused ammunition and dispose of them properly. 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. Oil and Water and Ammunition Don't Mix Another common piece of advice recommends soaking old ammunition in water or motor oil for several days before tossing it in the trash. Find a Location to Recycle or Dispose of Safely. You can schedule a household hazardous waste pickup by using the Waste Wizard online tool or by calling us at 916-461-6730. If there's any question about whether or not your ammunition is still good, err on the side of caution. Recycle your ammo by dissembling it with a kinetic puller. If your old ammo has shown any of these signs, then you need to safely dispose of it. It's one of the main tasks these businesses deal with regularly. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Manage unusable assembled ammunition as a hazardous waste. This guide shows you a few ways to dispose of ammo safely. However, storing your ammunition properly will extend the life of your cartridges and prevent scenarios that require your ammunition disposal. Take leftover or unused paint to an OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. Most of the time, as long as it was stored correctly, it is actually safe to use old ammo. Shell casings may be reused to make more bullets, or the metal could be melted down and used for something else. Bicycle tires and inner tubing should not be thrown in your curbside trash or recycle bins. Leave the weapon in a safe location and direct the officer to it. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. CA (831) 454-2430 or (831) 454-3951. Larger amounts must be tested and may qualify for fee exemptions. Another option that we recommend when you are looking to safely dispose of old ammo is to get ahold of your local shooting range. First, youll need to get your hands on a kinetic puller. Loaded ammo only deteriorates when exposed to moisture. Certain equipment made from non-ferrous metals are accepted at local recycling centers. I inherited 2 cases of 12 gage and 2 small shelf boxes of same- Winchester . Good article. Never bury ammo because the metal is hazardous. There were also a couple of boxes of .22's that were older yet (Western brand ammo, made before they became a subsidiary of Winchester). Bring Ammo To The Range For Disposal We have a section on this forum for selling ammunition. Dont dump the live cartridges onto the lanes. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouths Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), Earth911 Podcast: Yield10s Oliver Peoples on Genetic Engineerings Role in Regenerative Agriculture for Biofuels, Earth911 Podcast: AeroFarms Marc Oshima on Growing the Vertical Farming Opportunity, 9 States With Rapid Growth in Community Solar. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. When it comes to hand loaded rounds, you can usually tell when something is off. So, whether it's setting up and maintaining your EDC bag, laws on concealed carry, or refining your medical kit we tackle the hard questions. Another option is your local gun store. Additionally, problems with factory ammunition may indicate a larger problem with the entire batch produced. Sometimes ammo doesn't fire properly or there are instances of double feeds, jams, and other situations that leaves the range with live ammo to dispose of. When that happens, you can recycle your old shoesthe textile components of your old footwear can be used to make something else, even a new pair of sneakers in some cases. However, if you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable around ammunition, I do not recommend this method. It's much better to inadvertently dispose of good ammo than to try and shoot bad ammo. Use 911 only for emergencies!). The truth is, no one knows the exact shelf-life for ammunition. By far, my favorite way to dispose of ammo is by decommissioning cartridges myself. Additionally, make sure they are legally allowed to possess ammunition. Oxidation isnt the only reason to pitch ammunition. Many people think that just because ammunition is "old" that it isn't any good - it depends on how it was stored! Depending on the area you live in, it may be a municipal operation or it could be a private company, or perhaps a private company that contracts with your local government. Make sure you call the non-emergency line of your local police department ahead of your visit. Ammunition projectiles, propellant, and primers . including messages sent by autodialer. First is to call your local waste management service provider. Whether it's old, damaged, or ammo you no longer trust for another reason, you may find yourself in need of a way to dispose of it. With these points made, it is worth looking further into this important topic. You should never just pitch old ammo in the trash can. Jeese. some people here have no clue as to the facts.The reloads are the only thing that are illegal and unsafe to sell. Any unwanted ammunition or fireworks can be surrendered to the San Jose Police Department where they will be disposed of properly. It is usually going to work just fine. Call (833) GIV-GUNS to speak to our firearms specialists about donating or selling your unwanted firearms. You might also ask about ammo disposal at indoor ranges. The next few guns. This is no surprise because the truth is that you can often use old ammo without any issue. But what if it's reloaded with controlled substances?? So theoretically you could sell half this month, wait 30 days, and sell the rest. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Dispose of Both Used & Unused Cooking Oil, How to Trash, Donate, or Sell an Old Television, 10 Easy Options for Getting Rid of Old Cartridges and Casings, https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/servicesah/disposalunwantedfirearmsammunition, https://ocrecycleguide.com/RecycleGuide/4, https://www.littletongov.org/city-services/city-departments/police-department/programs-services/ammunition-disposal, https://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/SWR/#!rc-cpage=95082, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAvLAsyTVC0&t=6s, https://cavearmor.com/recycle-spent-ammo/, https://wspmn.gov/270/Recycling-Rubbish#!rc-cpage=242466, https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/w-hw4-04.pdf, https://www.co.calumet.wi.us/DocumentCenter/View/6801/Ammunition-and-Explosives, https://www.cityofvancouver.us/publicworks/page/garbage-recycling?_escaped_fragment_=rc-cpage%3D14261&qt-resource_center=0#!rc-cpage=14118. Or, locate a free drop-off location at www.byebyemattress.com. It is not a good idea to just show up with your old ammo, however. Leftover cleaning products, pesticides, flammable or poisonous garden products can go to an OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. Even if your old cartridges are corroded, most of the components can still be reused. The process to dispose of brass shells starts by knowing the parts of the material: The projectile Packaging Black powder The groundwork Copious associations - comprising of the military, gun stores, and ammunition manufacturers - face the issue of how to handle undesirable or expired ammunition. The quickest and easiest way to get rid of the firearm or ammunition is simply to call the non-emergency police dispatch number (703-691-2131) and request an officer respond to your home. If the box gets damaged, put them in a container with a secure lid. We offer the service on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. If you dont mind traveling to another city, check the counties around you to see if theyre hosting a hazardous waste collection event soon. Getting rid of your old ammo is relatively easy, but it's important to do it correctly so it's not dangerous to others. While some of these tips may work in certain situations, theyre far from guaranteed methods of disposal. Local gun ranges will sometimes collect dud rounds or unused ammunition and dispose of them properly. City of Gilroy Police Department . If you come across a cartridge with a bullet that sits too deep in the case, you probably dont want to shoot it. 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. 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. Cracked Casing. This is not safe. It may only take a few days for the powder and primer to dry out before the cartridge is good as new and just as dangerous. If you are not planning on shooting or keeping any of your guns for protection or recreation, selling them would be a great idea. If you'd like to learn more about guns, check out our in-depth interview with Bryan Villella. If these items are used, stored, or disposed of improperly, you, your pets, or the environment can be injured. There are a lot of reasons why you might find yourself in the possession of old ammunition. Maybe you found an old ammo can full of rounds in the back of your grandfathers closet. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Thanks for reading our article! However, not everything you hear on the internet is true, especially when it comes to ammo and firearms. E-bike batteries can be disposed of at OC's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. I was just going to bury them out on the back pasture. Bag it or wrap the mixture and place in the trash. Sell or give the firearm to any individual, museum or business with a licence to acquire that particular type of firearm through the official transfer process; or. Make sure you call ahead first. OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers do not accept ammunition, explosives, marine flares or fireworks. Export it to a country that allows it. Your advise is greatly appreciated. We can take up to 25 items or small loads that will easily fit into the cargo area of a small SUV or trunk of a car. You might find yourself thinking about how you have fired old ammo in the past and had no problem with it. Power tool batteries should be disposed of at HHWCCs. button batteries, nickel-cadmium) For information on proper disposal of hazardous items not accepted at the HHW Facilities, please contact County of Santa Cruz Environmental Health Services at 454-2022. . This creates a real safety hazard and it is also not eco-friendly. If a round is cracked or dented, it isnt safe to shoot. Alternatively, drill a couple holes in the side of the cases and dump the intact cartirdges in a bucket of old motor oil for a couple days. While the gunpowder can make excellent fertilizer, other components can be dangerous for the environment and may even pose a health risk. Try posting your ammo on a local buy-sell-trade group. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouths Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)created a prototype of a device that can disassemble cartridges into their component parts for recycling. Most private gun clubs have boxes of obsolete ammo that they keep just for folks to poke through and shoot up. Drop Off We send you a box If you are selling or donating, we include a shipping label and instructions on how to pack your unwanted firearm. Recycle Your Brass Shell Casings. It is not dynamite, Which has no metal case. This puts sanitary service personnel at risk. If a round doesnt look right, dont risk firing it. Give them a call at their non-emergency number and let them know you have some unwanted ammunition you want to dispose of. Additionally, ammunition left in an environment that impacts performance of the primer or powder charge should be disposed of. The oil will get in and destroy the powder . This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Growing up the son of a Marine, I was raised to be prepared and adaptable to overcome life's challenges. Ammunition can be surprisingly resilient. A driver loss control enrolled and ammo truck into a ditch. As long as ammo has been stored in a cool and dry place and was not exposed to high humidity, then it will remain viable for many years. A supply or quantity of bullets and shells used for ammunition in guns. Brian also shares DIY projects on Little Pilots Lounge. When all else fails, you can dispose of ammunition by unloading it on a friend. (haven't shot any of the guns in that time) Some of it was old surplus when I bought it, some is stuff I reloaded, others are store bought boxes. Just because it has an indian head on the box. Safety Instructions Please follow these important safety instructions: Make sure your firearm (s) are unloaded. In addition, your locality may have laws forbidding such practices. Put medications into a sealable bag or disposable container with a lid. Using corroded and degraded ammo is simply not a smart move and could end up leading to dangerous problems. Old, degraded, compromised ammo must be disposed of safely so that it can not cause any safety issues. The point that we are trying to reinforce here is that you can use that old ammo that you have had for years or have come into. EverydayCarryConcealed.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, and other sites. He leads certified training courses necessary to get licensed through the state to work in the private security field. Throwing ammunition in the trash is dangerous and illegal. Another common piece of advice recommends soaking old ammunition in water or motor oil for several days before tossing it in the trash. Why toss it or bury it when you can use a bullet puller and recycle the bullet and casing?! Recycle whatever you can and use it in the future. Only use a little at one time, and then using your fuse, light up the powder. In most cases, old ammo is safe, but it is also more likely to be a problem than new ammo. Attempting to return a recent ammo purchase to the seller helps alert manufacturers to potential problems. I have taken old useless ammo in to be broken down and destroyed, but I always offer some type of compensation in good faith. With this said, some of the other warning signs that old ammo has degraded include: So we have established that there are some signs that show that old ammo has become unfit for use. If youve got a bad set of ammunition, you should reach out to the seller directly. Perhaps youve got unusable ammo laying around that you want to dispose of or recycle. Preferably lock your firearm (s) in a secure container. You also should not throw ammunition away in the trash. Safe and responsible ammo disposal is a big part of this. Dibs on milsurp 30-06! If they do not offer this service, they can direct you where you can go in your local area to safely dispose of corroded ammo. Put them in their original cardboard box. I want to reregister it in California so that I can conceal carry this pistol( I am retired from lapd with a ccw. We have compiled the five most effective ways to get rid of your ammunition. A cartridge is made up of a bullet, casing, gunpowder, and a primer. If you go to the range, you might take the ammo with you on your next visit to see if theyll accept it. Whether a landfill or other type of facility, it's probably not equipped to handle ammunition as a waste product. As gun owners, we want to be sure we act responsibly, especially when it comes to disposing of our unwanted ammunition. Other trash can act as a firing pin in the event a trash compactor or other device is used. I have been told that may not be possible. This new device will make it easier for police departments and other recyclers to collect ammunition and recycle it. Recycling The most feasible ways to disposing of unwanted ammunition is to contact the police or your local sheriff's office. They may also have additional suggestions on where to take it. Contact the station in advance and let them know you plan to turn over ammunition. This is mostly because there are so many variables that can degrade cartridge integrity, the most common being exposure to moisture, heat, and sunlight. Since ranges likely already have a process for this, it doesn't hurt to ask if they accept ammo from customers for disposal. This site (EverydayCarryConcealed.com) is owned and operated by Graphite Designs LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Virginia, USA. But how do you dispose of old ammo safely? Empty cartridges not attached to a battery are considered landfill waste. However, if you have a ton, you may want to ask before stacking it up on their dud bin. Message frequency varies. Store in a cool, dry area that is locked or out of reach of children and pets. There are also some other key signs that you need to watch out for if you want to avoid dangerous issues with old ammo. 20 years is nothing for ammo, unless its covered in corrosion! the good news is that you have several options for getting rid of that old ammo that is no longer fit for use. Reloaders are equipped to break the ammunition down into smaller parts safely and may work with gun stores to buy old stock or repurpose turned-in ammo. They'll likely want to make a record of the transaction to ensure a suitable paper trail showing you properly disposed of the ammunition. Additionally, trash can end up in a landfill and hazmat is bed for the environment. Through an FFL01. I've fired 1939 ammo and it shoots as well, if not better than the the new lawerized stuff. If your firearm eligibility check is approved, when you go to pick up your firearm on (or after) the 10th day, the dealer will have the ability to add an ammunition transaction to the delivery of the firearm. Most shooting ranges will have containers for bad rounds of ammunition. 1. You can simply toss the gunpowder in your houseplants or your backyard garden. In part, that's because e-waste has such a high concentration of precious metals . If your local police station wont accept the ammunition, the next place to check is your city or county hazardous waste drop-off location. Turn over the ammo to a gun store that accepts it. Surrender them to your local police station. Call A Deputy Sheriff For A Residential Pick-Up Call the Sheriff's Department non-emergency line: (858) 565-5200 Request for a deputy to confiscate the firearm (s) from a residence The reporting party shall leave the firearm (s) inside of the residence where it is currently located at the time of the call. NOTICE: Due to the Covid-19 situation, many listed resources may be closed or have limited hours of operation. You need to call ahead if you plan on using this option. Gun store personnel are well-versed in handling ammunition and many of them will accept bad ammunition for safe disposal. Understand that the procedures involved vary by department and locale, so check your local department's website to see if any specifics are listed and call before you take any action if instructions aren't available online. A few years back my Grandfather passed and I was bequeathed his firearms and ammo (Mostly shotshells and .22 LR). Make sure to call the local number for the police station to ask if they're accepting ammunition. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. First, you need to answer the question of whether the ammunition is bad or needs to be disposed of to begin with. An officer will pick up the ammunition or give some suggestions if it's a minimal amount of rounds. 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. Please let me know if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember something in the law regarding manufacturing reloaded ammo "with the. Where do you dispose of it legally? Since I'm planning on selling off all my firearms, I will be left with a fair amount of ammunition in various calibers. Storage. EverydayCarryConcealed.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Even if the water or oil thoroughly penetrates the cartridge and manages to disable it, it may only be temporary. This option isn't for everyone and requires that you have a commitment to safely and correctly reloading. Here are the safest options: The easiest way to get rid of unwanted ammo is to call the police or your local sheriffs office. You send the unwanted firearm I have been reloading in excess of 50 years now and have never found a satisfactory way to dispose of live primers. These products must be used carefully and disposed of properly. This is a clear sign of deterioration that can make the ammo unsafe to use. The idea is to ruin the powder and primer, supposedly rendering the cartridge harmless. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Help protect the environment by getting rid of your ammo the proper way. If you find yourself with some corroded or unusable ammunition, there are a number of options available to you. While gun buybacks are an option for disposing of your unwanted firearms, they don't happen every day. 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. If you have questions about specific materials, please contact us or call 208-608-7136. If the casing on older ammunition has deteriorated, it can become volatile. It makes great fertilizer. Website Designed & Maintained by Innovare Technologies. For details, check here. 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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. So, if you want to remove a gun from your home today, another option is to surrender it to your local police station. Even if the ammo is bad, there could be some serviceable pieces for you to use to reduce waste. Many gun ranges will take unwanted rounds off your hands. you consent to receive marketing text messages However, if you encounter resistance at your local ammo supplier, you have other options for getting rid of defective ammo. It is best to keep ammo in an airtight container when possible. Another option that we recommend when you are looking to safely dispose of old ammo is to get ahold of your local shooting range. Below are 6 options to dispose of unwanted or unserviceable ammo. Even shipping it (there are some regulations to know about this though) is legal. You never want to gamble with your own safety. This is a huge safety issue that could lead to someone ending up getting seriously injured or worse. 358 S Tustin St. Orange, CA 92866. The simplest way to explain it is that ammo can become weakened as it ages. Under no circumstances should you walk into a police station or sheriff's office openly carrying a weapon. Message and data rates may apply. I've got that same bullet-puller. This is something that most gun ranges already do. Since firearms last more than a lifetime, families often have small and large collections of guns in their home. Using a bullet puller I separate out the components. In this case, someone at the station should point you in the right direction. You can reuse the projectile and the case, although you might need to clean them up a bit. Find a disposal location so problem items can be processed safely. Last Updated: January 14, 2023 Thank you for the information.