\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Throwing ammunition in the trash is dangerous and illegal. Bryan has nine years of professional experience and is an NRA and Florida State Certified K Instructor. So weve established that old ammo can possibly explode if it has begun to degrade and so we should make sure it is safe before thinking about using it. This is a clear sign of deterioration that can make the ammo unsafe to use. While its not illegal to throw away bullets in most areas, you still shouldnt do it because its so dangerous. DOs of Proper Ammo StorageStore ammo in a cool, dry, well-ventilated, and climate-controlled environment;Keep out of direct sunlight;Store in an airtight container (e.g. Avoid extreme hot or cold area primers can degrade and deteriorate over time;Store at room temperature and in the dark;More items Turn over the ammo to a gun store that accepts it. DHHS has toxicologists on hand to answer questions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. WebAmmunition cannot be put in the garbage and is not accepted at household hazardous waste collection sites or at recycling and disposal stations. Retail Collection - Many retailers offer services for recycling or disposing of household items when you purchase a replacement item. If youve found this content helpful, please share with your social networks or leave a comment. If you have a matter that requires local police action or assistance, please contact your nearest MSP post. Using an inexpensive kinetic bullet puller tool, its usually pretty easy to extract the bullet from the case of the offending cartridge. The closer you live to a major metropolitan area, the more likely you are to have public facilities nearby that are equipped to handle ammo disposal. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Bullets may accidentally go off under pressure or if they get too hot. WebThe National Center for Unwanted Firearms safely disposes or repurposes unwanted firearms through our secure facility in Montana. Additionally, make sure they are legally allowed to possess ammunition. And what happens if the next person who moves into your home decides to plant some tomatoes on top of yourammo landfill? However, if you encounter resistance at your local ammo supplier, you have other options for getting rid of defective ammo. Call the recycling information center at 503-234-3000. Forfeited Weapons Unit If no valid ownership claim is received by MSP within thirty (30) days of the date of public notice, the firearm(s) listed above will be destroyed. So lets say youre either not up to the task of disposing of this stuff on your own, or youve got a much largerbatch of bad ammo than the average range-goer. 7426 N. Canal Road 517-285-5637. These pages contain information helpful to collecting discarded materials not subject to hazardous waste regulation. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Our mission is to bring survival skills and self-reliance back to the modern man as they seem like they were lost decades ago. Therefore, inquire with staff about where you should drop off your ammunition. Accepts household hazardous waste such as oil paint, solvents, sealants, aerosol cans, autofluids, pesticides, herbicides, cleaners, degreasers, mercury items, CFL bulbs, and 1lb propane tanks. Press J to jump to the feed. Please note that many records are available that do not require a formal FOIA request. Let us help you find the information and resources you need to dispose of recyclable materials and household hazardous waste properly. HHW locations are closed on county-observed holidays. If no valid ownership claim is received by MSP within thirty (30) days of the date of public notice, the firearm (s) listed above will be destroyed. Recycle your ammo by dissembling it with a kinetic puller. Call first for either of them. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. They may accept waste from other communities, as well. This puts sanitary service personnel at risk. Using corroded and degraded ammo is simply not a smart move and could end up leading to dangerous problems. I wouldnt count on a little bath in motor oil to render a box of ammo permanently harmless. It is not a good idea to just show up with your old ammo, however. I'm Joe. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. They usually have a bin for bad rounds. 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. Do not pour the water into a yard or down storm drains. Learn More . To dispose of firearms, you may contact the non-emergency police at (210) 207-7273 to request an officer out to pick them up and dispose of them properly. Never pour HHW into a storm drain or down a drain in your home. For help with questions about the health effects from contaminants in the home and environment, contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Toxics Hotline at 800-648-6942. Even ammo in the worst condition can be salvaged by someone with the equipment to melt and cast his own lead bullets. East Side Substation at 3635 East Houston San Antonio, Texas (210) 207-7781. Donations - Use items that can still be used or donate them to someone you know will use them properly and lawfully. Your email address will not be published. AMBER Alert, Michigan Blue Alert, Public Threat Alert, Vulnerable Adult Medical Alert. the good news is that you have several options for getting rid of that old ammo that is no longer fit for use. If they cant take your ammo, they may be able to recommend the best option in your area. You want to make sure that you are acting responsibly when you are dealing with any ammunition whether it is new or old. Once received by our center the former owner no longer has a legal liability for the firearm. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Therefore, an in-person return is your best option. Kinetic pullers are generally safe, but trying to separate bullets with other tools can be dangerous. If you have leftover, unwanted household materials that are hazardous, it is best to routinely take them to a local HHW collection if one is available. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This location is OPEN Tuesdays: This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Requests to inspect or receive public records from EGLE must be in writing and describe the requested records with enough detail to enable the department to identify and locate the requested records. Firearm (s) listed above are not for sale. Many communities offer curbside recycling to residents, while some have a periodic drop-off recycling location. WebAmmunition/Fireworks - Ammunition, fireworks, and flares that are no longer needed or may be compromised due to age, moisture impact of or other factors may remain explosive and should be handled through a household hazardous waste collection or hazardous waste 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. Located within the Wealthy St. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. These sound like pretty good ideas at first, but Ive got my doubts. By far, my favorite way to dispose of ammo is by decommissioning cartridges myself. Additionally, trash can end up in a landfill and hazmat is bed for the environment. Information on carrying concealed pistols, permits, renewal, frequently asked questions, pistol free areas, pistol safety training course information, and more. Christine Grossman Bring ammunition in a secondary container, such as a bucket, Metro says. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Call your nearest police department or sheriffs office and ask if they can take it off your hands. When all else fails, you can dispose of ammunition by unloading it on a friend. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. WebRecycling programs in Oakland County are managed by the local communities. Prepare With The Winter Survival Guide, Prepper Projects To Perfect Your Prepping, Join The Best Online Survival Communities For Prepping Support, The Best Survival eBooks To Prepare For The Next Crisis, There is corrosion on the brass or the ammos primers, It is difficult to load the ammo into the chamber of your firearm, https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/lodge/how-to-dispose-of-ammunition/, https://www.defensivecarry.com/threads/green-corrosion-on-casings.203848/, https://earth911.com/eco-tech/recycle-ammunition/, https://www.nrablog.com/articles/2016/3/how-do-you-get-rid-of-bad-ammunition/. There are a few different ways to go about this, and the options available to you will vary depending on where you live, but these disposal services are almost always free of charge. Usually, only those in close proximity to the cartridge when it detonates are at risk of injury. Motor Carrier Regulatory and Credentialing, Vulnerable or Impaired Person (VIP) Enrollment, Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, Seventh District - Northern Lower Peninsula, https://dev.michigan.local/som/json?sc_device=json, Public Notice of Intent to Dispose of Firearms, Go to Freedom of Information Act Requests, Go to Medical Waivers for Commercial Drivers, Go to Motor Carrier Regulatory and Credentialing, Go to Vulnerable or Impaired Person (VIP) Enrollment, Go to Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), Go to Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, Go to Michigan Intelligence Operations Center, Go to Statewide Records Management System, Digital Analysis Identification Section (DAIS), Go to Criminal Justice Information Center, Go to Emergency Management & Homeland Security, Laboratory Services - Technical Disciplines, Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA), Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP), Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF), Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Commission, Go to Third District - Thumb and Tri-Cities, Go to Seventh District - Northern Lower Peninsula, Go to District and Post Commander Directory, List of weapons to be destroyed April 2023. Suffice it to say, you should NOT dispose of ammunition by burying it. Information relating to fire investigations including field office locations, arson tip line ,fire investigation services and fire fighter training information. Shell casings may be reused to make more bullets, or the metal could be melted down and used for something else. Oct 29, 2012 #8 Re: Best way to dispose of old ammo? ), https://www.reimaginetrash.org/safehomes/safechem/. Place the plastic bag into a trash can (ideally, a metal container). Whether they choose to shoot the ammunition, decommission it themselves, or trash it becomes their responsibility. Honestly, if were just talking about a few rounds, burying it is very unlikely to hurt anything unless your dog gets curious. If you are selling or donating, we include a shipping label and instructions on how to pack your unwanted firearm. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Call the police. Your first and best option is to check with your local precinct. Get cash or credit. Take your gun to a gun buyback event. Donate. Charities like Support Our Troops, Americas Military Charity, accept donated firearms and ammunition. Go to a special collection event. Turn your gun into a commemorative plaque. My name is Mike and my goal is to provide you with all types of information for your everyday carry needs. Do not spray down your driveway/display area with a hose. How to search for information on a missing person. One thing that you should never do is to bury old ammo. Always fun with a camp fire. 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. MSPForfeitedWeapons@michigan.gov. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The Survival Journal is the premier survival and preparedness newsletter. Go to a special collection event. In general, ammo is safe for use for 10 years after its manufacturing date, but it could stay safe for longer if you store it in a cool, dry place. Administrative & Recycling Center. Its time to call in a professional who can safely dispose of your ammo. Ditching a handful of bad rimfire cartridges is much easier than figuring out what to do with a dozen ammo cans worth of.30-06that you found out your grandad kept in a leaky storage shed. We need to learn how to spot the signs of deterioration that could make old ammo unsafe. Oregons Metro government says its household hazardous waste facilities will accept ammunition under .50 caliber. Hazardous waste centers do not generally accept bad ammo as a regular thing, but many of them do offer occasional drop-off services where they will collect and dispose of the ammo for you in a safe manner. GrossmanC@Michigan.gov Bring some homemade cookies with your ammo and I bet theyll even let you watch the fireworks (but dont quote me on that). Never bury ammo because the metal is hazardous. This will cover all extra manpower and equipment costs that are incurred by the Department of Public Works. Please enable scripts and reload this page. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Ask about a pickup to your area for multiple unwanted firearms. If you are looking to make a difference and be part of something greater, apply TODAY! If youre on the edge and dont know whether you should dispose of your ammo, here are some hints that its time. This SafeChem Drop-Off location is OPEN Mondays: Information about the History of the Michigan State Police. I can't find much online. This site (EverydayCarryConcealed.com) is owned and operated by Graphite Designs LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Virginia, USA. However, I think it would also be prudent to discuss the wrong way to decommission cartridges. Some records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA or another statute and thus will not be provided. As long as the ammo still looks clean, smooth, and lacking the tell-tale signs of corrosion, then it should be ok for you to use. The primer may not have ignited when you pulled the trigger but that doesnt mean it cant stillgo off under the right circumstances (like, for instance, when the garbage manactivates the compactor on his truck). Most shooting ranges will have containers for bad rounds of ammunition. Sporting Systems. If youre not dealing with a large quantity of unusable ammo, you might check in with your local indoor shooting range. Above are acceptable options for recycling or disposing of ammo. To see if a material is a HHW, look for words such as 'warning,' 'caution,' 'flammable,' 'toxic,' 'poison,' 'corrosive,' 'oxidizer,' etc. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Below are 6 options to dispose of unwanted or unserviceable ammo. Working side-by-side with partners at local, regional, state and federal levels, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) safeguards our state's environment while supporting the economic growth and development crucial for Michigan's future. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. EverydayCarryConcealed.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, and other sites. Customers that remain on the premises and are not done dumping by our closing time, a surcharge will be added to the tipping fee. When you safely dispose of ammo the right way, you will get the satisfaction of knowing you have acted responsibly as a firearms user. Take it to a range. At the National Center for Unwanted Firearms Inc., our mission is to accept and responsibly dispose of or repurpose unwanted firearms and promote firearm safety and awareness in communities. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Rinse used shell casings and bring them to a metal recycler. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Therefore, here are the top 3 ways people dispose of ammo that are not safe. Theres also the more thorough technique where you pull the bullet, dump the powder, and then spray the inside of the casing with WD-40 to kill the primer. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. How To Concealed Carry For The Most States. Method 1 of 3: Disposing of Different Types of BatteriesThrow away or recycle alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries are the type that power most simple battery-operated devices, such as flashlights, toys, remote controls, or smoke alarms.Dispose of car batteries at an auto parts retailer or hazardous waste collection site. Take rechargeable batteries to a recycling facility. More items Bury the ammo in your back yard seems to be one of the most common solutions to the bad ammo disposal problem. One popular method is soaking your ammo in water or motor oil for a couple of days so the powder and primer are ruined. For help if someone accidentally swallows something that may be toxic, contact the Michigan Poison Center at 800-222-1222 or call your local emergency responder phone number for help. Make sure you call the non-emergency line of your Im no environmental scientist, but it doesnt sound like athe best idea. Ultimately, disposing or recycling ammunition isnt a big deal. Thanks for stopping in. Bullets are made of lead which can seep into the soil. Ieven heard it suggested by an NRA Training Counselor during an instructor class, though Im fairly certain it doesnt reflect the official position of the NRA proper. The East Lansing Police Department (ELPD), 409 Park Lane, offers a 24-hours-a-day collection program, where residents can properly dispose of unwanted firearms (long gun or handgun) and ammunition. Another thing that you should never do is to throw your old ammo away in a regular trash can. Charities like Support Our Troops, Americas Military Charity, accept donated firearms and ammunition. Contact Us Firearm(s) listed above are not for sale. Its the bullet itself thats problematic. EGLE Household Drug Take Back Map and Video Overview - Searchable map for medications and needles/sharps collection locations. Some smaller departments might not be equipped for this, so be sure to call and ask before you show up with a pickup truck full of damaged ordnance. EGLE Registered Electronic Waste Take Back Program List - List of manufacture e-waste takeback programs and their Web sites. Nov.-March: 8:30 10:30am Simply provide the ammunition to the front desk or range safety officer for disposal. The water used to soak fireworks should then be disposed of indoors down a toilet. After closing hours we refuse the admittance of any additional customers. Dont bring any ammo into a police department unless they ask you to do so. You could also donate guns to a local gunsmith to use for training purposes. Wood Preservatives For more information on household hazardous wastes and collection programs: 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. This can make it more susceptible to backfiring if you try to use it. on the labels. *cancelation policy: closed during holidays and inclement weather. to local parks, churches, art counsels, non-profit housing authorities, shelters, and neighbors. Fort Harrison, MT 59636 Ammunition including blasting caps, bullets, shotgun shells, dynamite, explosives, flares and fireworks should be disposed of at the following locations. https://www.quora.com/Can-old-bullets-explode. The National Center for Unwanted Firearms safely disposes or repurposes unwanted firearms through our secure facility in Montana. :-). So we have talked about the signs that tell you that old ammo is no longer fit to be used. If your old ammo has shown any of these signs, then you need to safely dispose of it. EverydayCarryConcealed.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The bagged recycling often gets thrown away because the automated system is unable to ter open the bag (s) to access the materials. https://www.realtree.com/brow-tines-and-backstrap/is-it-safe-to-hunt-with-old-ammo#:~:text=Generally%2C%20yes.,old%20ammo%20with%20no%20problems. Theres also the more thorough technique where you pull the bullet, dump the powder, and then spray the inside of the casing with WD-40 to kill the primer. The information below identifies firearm(s) confiscated by a Michigan law enforcement agency and turned over to the Michigan State Police (MSP) pursuant to MCL 28.434 and MCL 750.239. Any ammo that is an original factory make is going to have been made using high-quality, premium materials. To learn more about HHW hazards and how to find drop-off locations that divert these materials from landfill disposal, click on the pictures for the materials listed below. ONLY OPEN during designated times; no appointment necessary. I would pull the bullets on the 5.56 and deprime them and use the brass or give it to someone the reloads. This is another case where it is a good idea to call ahead before showing up with a bunch of rounds of bad ammo. Call us toll-free to sell or donate your unwanted firearm (833) GIV-GUNS | (833) 448-4867, PO Box 100 Gun store personnel are well-versed in handling ammunition and many of them will accept bad ammunition for safe disposal. MDARD Pesticide Clean Sweep Program Contacts - List of pesticide collection locations available to any Michigan residents. (and how to dispose of old ammo) The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. to speak to our firearms specialists about donating or selling your unwanted firearms. Firearm & Ammunition Disposal Program The ELPD accepts any unwanted firearms (long gun or handgun) or ammunition at the ELPD desk 24 hours a day. 3 yr. ago Pretty much the local police department or gun range. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. If you are claiming ownership of any firearm(s) listed, please write or call within thirty (30) days of the date of public notice. Alternatives for hazardous materials disposal (call for details and fees): Additionally, some cartridges are beyond salvation and you should be able to identify the difference. Both of these things are prime examples of what not to do to safely dispose of old ammo. References. View Notices for Electronic & Special Meetings, Peddlers, Solicitors, & Transient Merchants, Use of Force/Conflict Management Training Team, ELPD Officer-Involved Shooting - April 25, 2022. He prioritizes safety and building comfortable environments for people to learn skills safely. This leads to the question, How do I safely dispose of old ammo. We'll even tell you what not to do with it so you can be as safe as possible.