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How and/or where can I properly dispose of a worn U.S. Flag or get one folded?
Flags should always be treated with respect and honor because they represent those who worked, fought, and sacrificed their lives for our rights and freedoms. According to the U.S. Flag Code, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning”. Note: If your flag is made from nylon or polyester, do not burn it. The smoke will contain dangerous chemicals that could harm your lungs. Instead, consider taking it to a donation center or burying it. You can locate information regarding flag disposal by doing a Google search for something like “US flag disposal etiquette.”
Some military bases (Honor Guard, etc) may take U.S. flags for disposal, but some do not. (At this time (Apr 2021) the Buckley AFB Honor Guard does not offer flag disposal services.) Many state and county government offices and police stations also collect them. Organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFWs), the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and some counties (at Department of Motor Vehicles, etc) are willing to take worn US flags to ensure they are disposed of properly. Below you will find links to websites that can help you locate one of these organizations near you. You can call the organizations you locate near you to confirm they accept worn US flags.
https://www.vfw.org/find-a-post
https://beascout.scouting.org/
Recycle the flag yourself
You can also recycle a flag on your own by cutting it up using an approved technique that doesn’t cut through the blue star field. When a flag has been cut up, it is no longer officially a flag.
Here is one method:
Stretch out the corners of the flag.
Cut the flag in half, vertically - do not cut into the blue star field.
Place the two halves together and cut in half, horizontally.
You will have four pieces of flag, one being the blue star field and the other three red and white stripes.
Put the flag in a container and dispose of it properly.
If you need a flag folded or re-folded for a display case or whatever you can start by contacting the Honor Guard on Buckley AFB for Air Force members - 720-847-6668. While they will do this for a retiree from any Service, if the person wants it done by someone from their own Service they can use the numbers below.
Army 719-526-5613
USMC 866-826-3628
Navy 720-847-6227
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