wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Crime Tip Lines - Information for reporting a crime. Please enable scripts and reload this page. ONLY OPEN during designated times; no appointment necessary. This puts sanitary service personnel at risk. 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. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 7,304 times. 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. How Hard Was it to Reload the M1 Garand in Combat? AMBER Alert, Michigan Blue Alert, Public Threat Alert, Vulnerable Adult Medical Alert. The best method for getting rid of your old ammo will depend on a couple of different factors. Please note that many records are available that do not require a formal FOIA request. ONLY OPEN during designated times; no appointment necessary. This SafeChem Drop-Off location is OPEN Mondays: Therefore, I recommend you do not put live cartridges into an open fire. After closing hours we refuse the admittance of any additional customers. Web12251 James Street Holland, MI 49424 Phone: (616) 396-5266 Espaol: (616) 393-5780 FAX: (616) 393-5643 Clinic FAX: (616) 393-5659 Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm Grand Haven 1207 South Beechtree Street Suite B Grand Haven, MI 49417 Phone: (616) 396-5266 Fax: (616) 844-1778 By Appointment Only Hudsonville 3100 Port Sheldon Road If you go to the range, you might take the ammo with you on your next visit to see if theyll accept it. Well contact you when its received and any additional steps required. One thing that you should never do is to bury old ammo. (616) 632-7920 wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. the good news is that you have several options for getting rid of that old ammo that is no longer fit for use. *cancelation policy: closed during holidays and inclement weather. Other trash can act as a firing pin in the event a trash compactor or other device is used. Bryan Villella is the Lead Firearms Instructor and Owner of Don't Be A Sitting Duck in Kissimmee, Florida. Call the recycling information center at 503-234-3000. ONLY OPEN during designated times; no appointment necessary. Lead does exist naturally in the ground, but not with the same concentration and level of purity as whats found inour ammo. Call first for either of them. Call us toll-free to sell or donate your unwanted firearm (833) GIV-GUNS | (833) 448-4867, PO Box 100 46-60 minutes = $180 Shell casings may be reused to make more bullets, or the metal could be melted down and used for something else. This is our policy and we can make NO EXCEPTIONS. Oct 29, 2012 #8 Re: Best way to dispose of old ammo? Offer them for free on craigslist, somebody will want them. Below are 6 options to dispose of unwanted or unserviceable ammo. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, 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. If youve found this content helpful, please share with your social networks or leave a comment. Recycle your ammo by dissembling it with a kinetic puller. You want to make sure that this type of collection is going on before you decide to show up at a hazardous waste drop-off with boxes of old ammo. 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. Most of the time, as long as it was stored correctly, it is actually safe to use old ammo. Usually defects or structural compromises of a cartridge render it unserviceable. With these points made, it is worth looking further into this important topic. If not, call the local State Police (check online for your area) or Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes products that we purchase and use every day in our homes that can harm us or the environment if they are not handled properly. Bullets may accidentally go off under pressure or if they get too hot. WebThe Drop-Off Station is your one-stop location for all your waste and recycling needs. - Companies are required to test their products to comply with federal regulations. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 primer or powder might not be worth much, but the bullet and case can most likely be re-used. However, I recommend you only give ammo to someone knowledgeable about ammunition and firearms. References. This can make it more susceptible to backfiring if you try to use it. Oregons Metro government says its household hazardous waste facilities will accept ammunition under .50 caliber. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Additionally, problems with factory ammunition may indicate a larger problem with the entire batch produced. *cancelation policy: closed during holidays and inclement weather. Information relating to fire investigations including field office locations, arson tip line ,fire investigation services and fire fighter training information. WebIn addition to your ownership claim, you must be authorized to possess firearms. WebPayment is required at the time of disposal by VISA, MasterCard or check (checks can be written out to KCHCS or Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services). Learn what is a hazardous waste under Michigans environmental laws, how it has to be handled, and what laws apply to hazardous waste generated by businesses in Michigan. Attempting to return a recent ammo purchase to the seller helps alert manufacturers to potential problems. Throwing ammunition in the trash is dangerous and illegal. Oftentimes the hazmat offices are only open on select days. This is no surprise because the truth is that you can often use old ammo without any issue. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Therefore, here are the top 3 ways people dispose of ammo that are not safe. While recycling ammunition may not be as simple as recycling a plastic water bottle, it is possible. However you decide to get rid of the ammo you cant use, be smart about it, and if you have any doubts, be sure to check your local and state laws. This is a huge safety issue that could lead to someone ending up getting seriously injured or worse. Michigan has very strict regulation for hazardous waste generators, transporters, and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities to ensure hazardous waste is handled safety in a manner that protects us and our environment. Please note that some DPW facilities are closed on Monday January 16th, 2023 for Martin Luther King Jr Day. Oakland County Planning Services maintains the county's Solid Waste Plan, administers a household hazardous waste program, and provides recycling and disposal information to residents. Simply provide the ammunition to the front desk or range safety officer for disposal. April-Oct: 8:30 11:30am Whether they choose to shoot the ammunition, decommission it themselves, or trash it becomes their responsibility. You want to make sure that you are acting responsibly when you are dealing with any ammunition whether it is new or old. Most shooting ranges will have containers for bad rounds of ammunition. How To Concealed Carry For The Most States. Alternatively, burying ammo could impact the local wildlife by poisoning drinking water or seeping into the soil and absorbed by local plant life. Your email address will not be published. EGLE Household Drug Take Back Map and Video Overview - Searchable map for medications and needles/sharps collection locations. Ever inherited an old batch of ammunition from a friend? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If your local PD has an explosives disposal unit, they mayeven use your ammo in a training exercise. Yet another option that we recommend for the safe disposal of old ammo is to contact your local gun store. Thursdays: 1:30 5:30pm 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. If you recycle bullets yourself, use the gunpowder to fertilize your plants. Residential use only; business waste is NOT accepted. Browse popular items below or search the directory. There are a lot of reasons why you might find yourself in the possession of old ammunition. Training Division How To Find Ammo (& Reloading Supplies) During Shortage. Call your nearest police department or sheriffs office and ask if they can take it off your hands. Additionally, ammunition left in an environment that impacts performance of the primer or powder charge should be disposed of. Another way to get rid of ammunition is by taking it Contacting your local law enforcement office or fire department is another way to dispose of unwanted ammunition. Is .25 ACP Literally the Worst Self-Defense Cartridge? Bring Ammo To The Range For Disposal. Your email address will not be published. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Earth 911 Where to Recycle Search - Independent search engine. A complete list of all programs within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Resources and information on utilizing RRD's data exchange and the Inventory of Facilities. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. https://www.quora.com/Can-old-bullets-explode. Waste and recycling services are managed by the local communities in Oakland County. However, I think it would also be prudent to discuss the wrong way to decommission cartridges. Additionally, trash can end up in a landfill and hazmat is bed for the environment. 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. There is no reason not to use that old ammo that you have stored, but if it shows any of the signs of degradation that we have covered, then it should not be used. Always fun with a camp fire. 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. Any ammo that is an original factory make is going to have been made using high-quality, premium materials. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Located within the South Kent Waste & Recycling Center. Usually, only those in close proximity to the cartridge when it detonates are at risk of injury. Kinetic pullers are generally safe, but trying to separate bullets with other tools can be dangerous. MSPForfeitedWeapons@michigan.gov. Counties/MunicipalitiesShare Your Recycling Data to Help Expand Recycling, HHW and Very Small Quantity Generators Hazardous Waste Collector Resources, Promote your Recycling or Hazardous Waste Collection. For more information including fees and to make an appointment, please call 269-383-8742 or email us. If you are looking to make a difference and be part of something greater, apply TODAY! Press J to jump to the feed. Turn over the ammo to a gun store that accepts it. If there is no listing for your community, consider calling your city, township, and county officials to see if they offer the services you are seeking. Ask about a pickup to your area for multiple unwanted firearms. It is best to keep ammo in an airtight container when possible. By using our site, you agree to our. WebThe most feasible ways to disposing of unwanted ammunition is to contact the police or your local sheriffs office. Alternatives for hazardous materials disposal (call for details and fees): View Notices for Electronic & Special Meetings, Peddlers, Solicitors, & Transient Merchants, Use of Force/Conflict Management Training Team, ELPD Officer-Involved Shooting - April 25, 2022. In addition to your ownership claim, you must be authorized to possess firearms. Dont bring any ammo into a police department unless they ask you to do so. I hope this article answered your question on whether or not old ammunition can explode and how to dispose of old ammo. Were not necessarily endorsing any of these methods as the best option, but here are a few of the more popular suggestions: Depending on what kind of condition your allegedbadammo is in, some of the components might be salvageable. This article was co-authored by Bryan Villella and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. I believe in Americans learning self-defense and safety skills so they can defend themselves and their families. Another thing that you should never do is to throw your old ammo away in a regular trash can. Accepts household hazardous waste such as oil paint, solvents, sealants, aerosol cans, auto fluids, pesticides, herbicides, cleaners, degreasers, mercury items, CFL bulbs, and 1lb propane tanks.