American Flag Disposal Locations: Where To Legally Dispose Flags

Did you know that there are specific locations for the disposal of unserviceable American flags?

If you don’t, don’t worry – you’re not alone.

Most people have no idea how to get rid of a flag once it’s no longer in good condition. But don’t fret—we’ve got you covered.

There are specific disposal locations for unserviceable American flags, where you can properly dispose of old glory in the most patriotic way possible.

In a Hurry?

Here are the legal ways you can dispose of an American flag:

Visiting (usflag.org/disposal)
Go to places you can dispose of your old American flag:

Your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post (Ex. Reach out to the legion commander of the American Legion of America).
A Scout Troop meeting
At your local American Legion post
At an outdoor ceremonial event, such as Memorial Day or the Fourth of July
In front of your city or town hall

If you’re not near any of these locations, you can always mail your flag to one of the following organizations:

The Boy Scouts of America’s National Flagship Service Center in Irving, Texas
The Annin Flagmakers’ plant in Roseland, New Jersey
The Flag Lady’s store in San Diego, California
The United States Flag Store in Virginia Beach, Virginia

As part of the American citizen, you are to pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to commemorate the Flag Day on June 14 every year.

Also, you are to honor and properly use this flag and its proper disposal as it stands for the nation, indivisible, liberty, and justice for everyone.

The United States Flag Code outlines the guidelines for the proper disposal of old glory. But the main thing is that it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning, when it has become unfit for display.

In this blog post, we will provide a list of disposal locations near you!

Check out the list below to find the nearest disposal location to drop off your old flag for proper disposal.

Approved Locations to Dispose of an American Flag:

Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

This is a place where you can take your flag to retire is the Boy Scouts of America.

The BSA has a flag retirement ceremony where they burn the flags in a patriotic way.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Another great place to take your flag for disposal is the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. They have a specific program called “Flag Folding and Retirement.”

This program not only allows you to properly dispose of your flag, but also teaches people about the history and symbolism behind Old Glory.

2. Your Local American Legion Post

Your local American Legion post will more than likely be happy to help you with your flag disposal needs.

American Legion posts often have ceremonies for retired flags, and they can provide you with a flag disposal box to store your flag in until the ceremony.

Summary

Although not all of these places have an official flag retirement ceremony, they all adhere to the US Flag Code when it comes to disposing of flags.

The U.S. Flag Code says that when an old flag has been torn, ripped or stained, one should not discard the old flag without destroying it first. This U.S. code is a set of guidelines that detail how American flags should be treated with respect.

If a veteran wishes to dispose of a worn or soiled American Flag in a dignified way, they may request a VFW Post flag-burning ceremony by the second vice commander.

We hope that this list has been helpful in finding the closest American Flag disposal locations to your home.

We are always looking for new tips to share, so please comment below with your own ideas!

If you have any questions about the flags or tips, please share them in the comments below.

FAQ’s

Q: Where can I dispose of an American flag?

A: You can take it to your local Veterans Affairs office, or you can mail it to the Flag disposal program at the National Flag Foundation.

Another option is to take it to a Boy Scout troop meeting and have them properly dispose of it.

You could also burn it in a ceremonial burning and make sure that the flag is completely destroyed and can no longer be used as a symbol of our country.

Q: Where can I find an American Flag Disposal Location?

You can find an American Flag Disposal Location near you by visiting (usflag.org/disposal).

For a list of locations, visit usflag.org/disposal or contact your local Boy Scout troop or community organization.

Q: What happens to flags that are sent to the National Flag Foundation?

Flags that are sent to the National Flag Foundation are disposed of in a dignified manner. The flags are carefully cleaned and then either incinerated or buried.

This ensures that the flag will never be used again and can no longer serve as a symbol of our country.

By following these simple guidelines, you can help ensure that our American flag is treated with the respect it deserves.

Q: How do I properly fold an American flag?

A: The flag should be folded in a ceremonial manner and placed in a box or other container.

It is important to note that the folded flag should not be handled by anyone except a member of the military or someone authorized to do so.

Additionally, the flag should never touch the ground.

Q: Can I fly an American flag after it has been retired?

A: No, once an American flag has been retired, it should not be flown again.

Q: What type of flag is right for certain occasions?

A: A cloth flag may be used for indoor decoration at parades, special ceremonies, and other similar events.

This includes hanging new flags vertically from wall-mounted fixtures or using them as backdrops behind platforms and speakers’ stands. It also includes displaying miniature flags on desks during patriotic observances such as President’s Day.