It was later on the evening of July 4th and no more sparkling fireworks lit the sky. Whatever you believed left for the next year ended up in the grand finale. Now a selection of larger fireworks and smaller fireworks and sparklers will be scattered around the yard, the street, or wherever your DIY display was taking place. What now?
Don’t be one of those who set off fireworks and then flee the crime scene to make their mess for someone else. Take responsibility for your pyrotechnics and dispose of them safely. Here’s how to do it.
Are fireworks harmful to the environment?
Well, in different ways. According to a 2015 study published in the journal Atmospheric environmentFor the 24-hour period beginning July 4 at 8 p.m., as measured by the national average, air pollution is 42% higher than on a typical day without fireworks.
Not to mention, laying around the used fireworks isn’t good for the environment either. Most fireworks contain a mixture of fuel, an oxidizer (to provide the oxygen needed to burn), and the coloring metal and chlorine-donating compounds, explained Elizabeth Wilson, a California-licensed pyrotechnician, in an article for Chemical & Engineering News. And even though the fireworks were set off, the remains could still contain some of the original chemicals.
How to Dispose of Fireworks Safely
First, check which local law governs the disposal of fireworks or check your city / town / state government website if instructions are posted there. You’ll want to follow them, but in the meantime (or if there aren’t any instructions) here’s what to do by Recycling coach:
First of all, make sure that any used or unused fireworks that you have are soaked. (This includes duds once you’ve determined they’re safe to use.) To do this, soak them in a bucket of water for at least 15 minutes. Feel free to leave them in for longer, though – some recommend leaving them in for up to 48 hours, but that’s not necessary if they’re thoroughly soaked inside and out.
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Once your fireworks are sufficiently moist, pour excess water from the soaking bucket into the toilet. Then put the fireworks in a sealable plastic bag to keep them moist. (If double wrapping feels better, do it.) After that, it’s time to dispose of the bag.
Exactly where you do this will depend on your local laws and / or instructions from your fire department. In many cases, once you’ve wet them and bagged them, you can safely dispose of the fireworks in your regular trash can. However, do not throw them in your trash. Although they are mostly paper, fireworks are not recyclable items. Recycle Coach explains.
