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Since the flag is a national symbol of our country with a deep history, make sure you retire it appropriately. Over time, your flag will wear out, and knowing what to do with a damaged or worn-out American Flag allows you to make the best decision as you dispose of it.
Disposing of the Flag
Before you destroy your flag, evaluate it and ensure destroying it is the proper action to take. If the flag is dirty, you may want to try taking it to the dry cleaner first. According to the flag code, you should destroy your flag if it's:
- Overly worn
- Tattered
- Sun-bleached
If you cannot repair or clean your flag but recognize that it’s no longer fit to fly, dispose of it honorably.
Retiring a Flag
When the time comes to dispose of your flag, make sure you do so correctly, either by burning it, taking it to a community disposal box, or recycling it.
A Community Drop Box
If you take your flag to a community dropbox, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will properly dispose of it on Flag Day with army veterans. On June 14, Flag Day, there is a ceremony to dispose of these worn American flags in the way Flag Code states.
You could also recycle the flag by donating it to the proper organization. For instance, organizations like Stars for our Troops accept flags that are ready for retirement. Before disposing of a flag, volunteers cut the stars out of the blue field and send them to an American soldier.
Recycling a Flag
Depending on your flag's material, burning it may not be the best option, as doing so could be harmful to the environment. However, you could take it to a recycling company if one in your community accepts flags.
Burn the Flag
The final method for disposing of the flag in a dignified manner, as stated in Flag Code, is burning it. You should not burn flags made of nylon or polyester, as the chemicals released by these materials are hazardous.
If burning the flag isn't an option, bury it by folding it into the ceremonial triangle, placing it in a wooden box, and burying it.
Knowing what to do with a damaged or worn-out American Flag ensures you choose the correct method, whether that’s recycling, burying, or burning it. When the time comes to buy a new flag, shop at Federal Flags for high-quality American and state flags as well as commercial-grade flag poles. Then, fly your flag honorably and remember the freedom and liberties it symbolizes.
3 comments
It is NOT appropriate to cut the stars out of the blue field. US Flag Code has to say about a flag that is “tattered and torn” from the sun and wind. TITLE 4, Chapter 1, Sec. 8(k) states:
“The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
According to the U.S. Flag Code, flags that are worn, tattered, or otherwise no longer presentable/serviceable, are destroyed. The proper way to dispose of a worn or damaged flag is through a dignified burning ceremony (natural fibers) or shredding and burial (man-made fibers), conducted separately from any other items or remains.
The only direction provided by the Flag Code or military regulations, is that the worn flag must be destroyed, preferably by burning. Many veterans’ organizations and local community groups conduct flag retirement ceremonies, according to the traditions of their organization, where flags are respectfully burned in a manner befitting their significance. These ceremonies provide a dignified end for the flag’s service while honoring the values it represents. Participating in or attending such a ceremony can be a meaningful way for families to ensure the flag is treated with the respect it deserves.
We have hundreds of retired flags collected by our local VFW. They have been setting in boxes and trash bags in a local funeral home. The VFW assumed the funeral home would be able to cremate them. They can’t. Not enough capacity / time, it can make a mess or damage the crematory, and the nylon gives off hazardous gases.
If our local sheltered workshop can cut these apart, separating the star field from the stripes, can the pieces then be placed in the landfill or recycled in textile recycling centers? We don’t have groups or facilities here in our small town that can burn the cotton ones, Wr don’t know where to go with the nylon ones. Can you give us some guidance? This is getting overwhelming and we’d like to do it with respect to the Flag.
Thanks.
Most VFWs have a Falg disposal/retirement box and they will properly dispose of them for you. And in most VFWs you can then drink to the proper disposal of your flag;.
Butch