Additionally, trash can end up in a landfill and hazmat is bed for the environment. 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. By using our site, you agree to our. If youve found this content helpful, please share with your social networks or leave a comment. 2023 Copyright - The Survival Journal - All Rights Reserved, Turn the Ammo Over to Your Local Police Department, Take the Ammo to a Hazardous Waste Drop-off Center, B.O.B Mastery: The Ultimate Bug-Out Bag Guide, Bushcraft Survival Skills To Survive In The Wilderness, Survival Hacks: Over 100 Hacks Using Simple Household Items, Military Survival Guide: 8 Skills From Navy Seals, Special Forces, and Elite Military Units, Quicksand Survivsal Guide: How to survive falling in Quicksand, Holiday Survival Guide: How To Survive The Holidays, Winter is Coming. Its a quick whack, the bullet separates from the case, and you end up with a bunch of powder to burn. Stockpiling old ammo that is damaged and corroded is simply not something that you want to do. Treat any weapon you may come across as if it is loaded.When handling a weapon at home, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Always keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard if you are not intending to fire the weapon.When storing a weapon in your home, you should keep it unloaded. More items Our job is hard, but our mission is simple: to protect Michigans environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources. The box contains cartridges Ive accidentally mangled on the reloading press, ammo that was damaged in shipping, cartridges with dramatically recessed bullets caused by feeding malfunctions, rounds with cases so badly dented they wont even chamber, and of course a plethora of rounds that just wouldnt go bang, especially 22s. The best method for getting rid of your old ammo will depend on a couple of different factors. Michigan State Police 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. 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. According to takethegun.com the window for returning ammo to the seller varies between 0 and 60 days. WebThe National Center for Unwanted Firearms safely disposes or repurposes unwanted firearms through our secure facility in Montana. So lets take a closer look at some of the most common ways to get rid of unwanted or unusable ammunition. How To Concealed Carry For The Most States. There are a lot of reasons why you might find yourself in the possession of old ammunition. A fee may be charged to process your request. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Perhaps youve got unusable ammo laying around that you want to dispose of or recycle. Rinse used shell casings and bring them to a metal recycler. Alternatively, burying ammo could impact the local wildlife by poisoning drinking water or seeping into the soil and absorbed by local plant life. If youre not dealing with a large quantity of unusable ammo, you might check in with your local indoor shooting range. Call us toll-free to sell or donate your unwanted firearm (833) GIV-GUNS. Nov.-March: 2:30 4:30pm It's more important than ever. Your email address will not be published. Wash them out to rid the casing of any lingering gunpowder and then find a recycling center that accepts scrap metal, particularly brass shell casings. 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. You should never under any circumstances fire any ammunition that has green corrosion present on its casing. Charities like Support Our Troops, Americas Military Charity, accept donated firearms and ammunition. 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. By far, my favorite way to dispose of ammo is by decommissioning cartridges myself. https://www.quora.com/Can-old-bullets-explode. WebPlease note that Salt Lake County HHW facilities cannot accept radioactive materials or explosives (such as ammunition and fireworks). *cancelation policy: closed during holidays and inclement weather. Additionally, problems with factory ammunition may indicate a larger problem with the entire batch produced. But why? Well contact you when its received and any additional steps required. Mondays: 1:00 3:00pm If a collection is not available, contact your trash hauler to see if there are special instructions for safely disposing of the material in the regular trash. 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. 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. - If you see a cautionary notice, understand that this material will become a household hazardous waste if not used up properly. Information about the History of the Michigan State Police. I hope what I share with you helps. This is another case where it is a good idea to call ahead before showing up with a bunch of rounds of bad ammo. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. 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. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides all persons (except persons incarcerated in correctional facilities) with access to public records of public bodies. EverydayCarryConcealed.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. It is best to keep ammo in an airtight container when possible. How to Dispose National Center for Unwanted Firearms | Safe Unwanted Firearm But, if this sounds interesting to you, I highly recommend you check out my article on reloading because youre a prime candidate for making your own ammunition. Usually, I can re-use the case even if the powder or other parts of the cartridge are compromised. Using corroded and degraded ammo is simply not a smart move and could end up leading to dangerous problems. How To Dispose Of Old Ammo - RTTO - Outdoor Website: Hunting, Ammo should never be thrown away, as it can be dangerous and harmful to the environment, not to mention illegal in many places. I wouldnt count on a little bath in motor oil to render a box of ammo permanently harmless. 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. Farmington, MI - Recycling Information 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. :-). Your geographical location also has an effect on what options you have. Furthermore, most ammo contains lead, which isnt something you want to be too casual about tossing out with your household garbage,and doing so might even be illegaldepending on where you live. on the labels. This is our policy and we can make NO EXCEPTIONS. Drop-Off Station Contact information: Michigan State Police Training Division 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. East Side Substation at 3635 East Houston San Antonio, Texas (210) 207-7781. Thursdays: 7:00 9:00am Dont dump the live cartridges onto the lanes. WebAnswer (1 of 29): Well, if it's military grade stuff, contact the military. They usually have a bin for bad rounds. We'll even tell you what not to do with it so you can be as safe as possible. April-Oct.: 1:30-5:30pm Never bury ammo because the metal is hazardous. They may accept waste from other communities, as well. Directions should be followed to get maximum benefit from the products you use without compromising your safety. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. This is a huge safety issue that could lead to someone ending up getting seriously injured or worse. 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). By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I am a concealed permit holder (for over a decade), a lifetime NRA member, certified firearms instructor, and a firearm enthusiast. If youve got a bad set of ammunition, you should reach out to the seller directly. Use the following resources to find local HHW drop-off locations in Michigan: EGLE County Recycling and HHW Contact List - Searchable list of local government collection contacts known to EGLE. Take it to a range. 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. But just like throwing it in the trash, it might be illegal in your area, and theres a slight chance it could have some negative environmental impact. How To Find Ammo (& Reloading Supplies) During Shortage. List of weapons to be destroyed April 2023(public notice date 3-2-2023). Bryan has nine years of professional experience and is an NRA and Florida State Certified K Instructor. 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. {"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. Even ammo in the worst condition can be salvaged by someone with the equipment to melt and cast his own lead bullets. If you plan to dispose of ammunition this way, ensure the facility is open and accepts ammunition. Retail Collection - Many retailers offer services for recycling or disposing of household items when you purchase a replacement item. Its the bullet itself thats problematic. They usually have a bin for bad rounds. Most dumps and landfills also have a building or section of the facility dedicated to hazardous materials. Household Hazardous Waste Collection events may be available in your area at certain times of the year. There are multiple ways to dispose of your cartridges responsibly that protect the environment and prevent problems with law enforcement. Disposal This location is OPEN Fridays: These pages contain information helpful to collecting discarded materials not subject to hazardous waste regulation. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. So we have talked about the signs that tell you that old ammo is no longer fit to be used. A subreddit dedicated to the latest news and happenings in the great state of Michigan. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. However, I think it would also be prudent to discuss the wrong way to decommission cartridges. How To Dispose *cancelation policy: closed during holidays and inclement weather. We need to learn how to spot the signs of deterioration that could make old ammo unsafe. Ask about a pickup to your area for multiple unwanted firearms. Usually, an officer will secure the ammo before they bring it in to make sure everyone is safe. Additionally, make sure they are legally allowed to possess ammunition. Do not spray down your driveway/display area with a hose. {"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. Information on Laws & Statutes relating to the Michigan State Police. You need to call ahead if you plan on using this option. Our mission is to bring survival skills and self-reliance back to the modern man as they seem like they were lost decades ago. 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. 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. Mission Statement of the Michigan State Police. 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. This can make it more susceptible to backfiring if you try to use it. They know best what hazards and best practices for handling are. How can I properly dispose of old ammo If not, contact law enforcement and describe exactly what you have, where, how many, etc. Information about the GeoWebFace application. Call us toll-free to sell or donate your unwanted firearm (833) GIV-GUNS | (833) 448-4867, PO Box 100 WebAmmunition cannot be put in the garbage and is not accepted at household hazardous waste collection sites or at recycling and disposal stations. In addition to the DPW Administrative Office, both t, Paper, Paperboard, Magazines, and Cardboard, Plastic Bags (shopping, newspaper, produce, food storage, product over-wrap, etc. The primer or powder might not be worth much, but the bullet and case can most likely be re-used.