Flares Disposal

From December 2022 HM Coastguard, the Police, and the MoD no longer offer a flare disposal service to private individuals.

Under the Explosives Regulations 2014, any person who disposes of explosives - which includes flares and smokes - must ensure they are disposed of legally.

Ribbands Explosives provides a disposal service for all types of marine pyrotechnics for a small unit fee. You simply deliver your time-expired or damaged flares directly to a site near Diss in Norfolk, pre-booked on notified days.

This avoids expensive explosives transport charges as you are permitted to transport a small quantity of your own explosive material in any vehicle. The items do not fall under complex waste regulations until they arrive at the disposal site.

We're primarily an explosives research and consultancy site but are open for flares drop-offs one Saturday each month.

Upcoming drop-off days are as follows (we're open from 11:00am to 2:00pm. ):

  • Saturday, 15th February 2025
  • Saturday, 15th March2025

Full instructions, a contact telephone number, and the drop-off address for that day will be provided on payment.

If you are 'in the area' at some other time, or unable to make any of these days, it may occasionally be possible to accept goods at other times but this must be booked in advance.

We are also able to accept other explosive items, ammunition, and firearms, but again please contact us in advance.