A MOBILE collection program will roll out again in 2022, to make it easy for boaties to dispose of their expired flares.

The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) program offers convenient and free disposal of marine flares that have reached expiry.

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Flares contain hazardous materials that must be disposed of correctly.

For MidCoast boaties, the mobile collection points will be at three locations on 10 January 2022.

Taree – Queen Elizabeth Park 7.30am to 9.30am

Crowdy Head – boat ramp 11.00am to 1.00pm

Forster – boat ramp 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Marine flares are used in boating emergencies.

Flares are a signal for help and to assist with establishing a vessel’s location.

Most flares have a use-by date of three years from manufacture.

Penalties apply where flares are not replaced within their expiry period.

It is also an offence to set off flares except in the case of an emergency.

“Many people think flares can be placed into their general garbage collection, but flares are highly flammable and can be dangerous to the collectors,” explained David Rees, MidCoast Council’s Waste Services Manager.

“They can cause fire and damage to property, and they’re hazardous for the environment if they end up in our landfills.”

Local boat owners should regularly inspect their on-board flares, check the expiry dates, and take advantage of the RMS mobile collection program.

The mobile collection will be returning to MidCoast in April and June 2022.

For more information, and to view collection locations, visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/flares.