2018-Apr-11
CPS Flare Disposal Program and what to do now
Boating Update : CPS Flare Disposal Program and what to do now
Last March we posted an article on the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron’s flare disposal program. As a reminder the CPS program was a partnership with Transport Canada and CIL Dealers to provide boating safety equipment education and flare disposal days. The program, with funding from Transport Canada and CIL Dealers, ran from 2015 through to 2017. Marinas from across the country hosted the events. Last year 23 marinas participated.
The program has been a great success. Canada wide 81,365 flares were turned in over the three years. In Ontario the number was 38,517.
Flares have an expiry date, four years from the date of manufacture, and must be replaced even if unused. Its the law and its for your safety.
Flares, and their safe disposal has been and continues to be a dilemma. There are serious concerns because they contain materials potentially hazardous to the environment ( strontium nitrate and fuel oil ) and can be unstable once expired. You cannot light them or throw them out in your household garbage to get rid of them.
The flare exchange days provided a safe and environmentally friendly way to dispose of these unwanted flares. However, Transport Canada has temporarily exhausted the monies for funding multiyear projects and they have closed the “request for funds” off for 2018. CPS will apply again once it is opened again, they hope next year.
So what to do in the meantime?
When buying new flares you can request that the vendor selling you the new flares accept the old expired flares. Also Transport Canada’s website recommends contacting your local fire and/or police departments for advice.
GOOD NEWS FLASH!
CPS has managed to cobble together a few flare exchange days to help until, hopefully, the full program can be restored.
April 19-22 at The Rigging Shoppe at 44 Midwest Road in Scarborough.
May 12 at Pisces Marine at 441 Wyecroft Road, Oakville
June 9-10 at Port Whitby Marine Supplies at 1636 Charles Street, Whitby.
Toronto Flare Recover Days will be hosted by The Rigging Shoppe.
- flares will only be accepted from recreational boaters on the day of the event
- flares will NOT be accepted from organizations, clubs, agencies and municipalities
- commercial flares will not be accepted
- learn more about acceptable flares for return here.
