Properly Disposing of an Old American Flag

Oct 22nd 2021

Properly Disposing of an Old American Flag

Once your fundraising flags begin to look tattered and weathered, the flag code calls for you to properly dispose of the American flag. Although our flags are resilient and will last for multiple fundraisers, there will come a time to retire them and invest in a new set. There are several ways to dispose of an American flag; some ways more time-intensive than others. But the key is to always treat it with respect and never simply throw it in the trash. Read more to learn how to properly retire your old American flag set.

Burn Your Old American Flag

The most traditional option and one that strictly follows code is to burn the flag when it is at the end of its life. You can safely burn the flag at home but you should, of course, consider any local fire ordinances. Determine if this is a viable option by reviewing what material your flag is made of to avoid toxic fumes.

If your flag is safe to burn, fold it in the customary triangle fold pictured above. To learn the triangle fold, review our Flag Etiquette 101 blog post. Next, start a fire large enough to completely burn the flag. When placing the flag in the fire, make sure it does not touch the ground in the process. Then, salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to commemorate the disposal of your American flag. Wait until the flag is burned entirely, then make sure to properly extinguish the fire afterward.

Dispose of Your American Flag in a Community Disposal Box

Several communities hold flag-burning ceremonies for community members to participate in. Or, there are several organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts that collect disposed flags and hold ceremonies to retire them. Please contact us to learn more about organizations that can properly dispose of your American flag for you.

Bury Your Old American Flag

Another viable disposal option is to respectfully bury your American flag. First, fold the U.S. flag in the customary triangle fold. Next, place it in a dignified wooden box. Dig a deep hole and bury the flag box in the ground. Once it is completely buried, take a moment to honor the flag with a salute and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Contact Us to Learn More

Flags for Fundraising is proud to help nonprofit organizations with their fundraising initiatives. If you are interested in fundraising with flags or have any questions about flags, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you!