Safe Fireworks Disposal

Published on July 05, 2024

Once Fourth of July celebrations come to an end, don’t forget the importance of fire safety and responsible waste management when disposing of fireworks. Help protect yourself, waste management professionals, your community, and the environment by following these safety tips:

1. Soak Used Fireworks in Water – Before disposing of spent fireworks, soak them in water. Doing this reduces the risk of accidental ignition and ensures that the fireworks are safe to handle and dispose of.
2. Soak “Duds” in Water – If a firework fails to go off, wait 20 minutes before approaching it and then soak it with water before disposal.
3. Soak Unused Fireworks in Water – If you dispose of unused fireworks, remember to soak them in water before putting them in the trash.
4. Bag Your Fireworks – After soaking all your fireworks, place them in bags at the curb or street edge. Bagging your fireworks will help waste management professionals collect your items more quickly and efficiently, speeding up the process for everyone.
5. Avoid Placing Fireworks Debris near Structures or Vehicles – To prevent potential fire hazards, avoid placing unsoaked fireworks near or inside structures or vehicles.
6. Prevent Litter – Litter makes everything look worse. In addition to bagging your fireworks, remember to collect all of the smaller debris too. Doing this will help prevent litter from blowing around your neighborhood, and it will help keep trash from clogging things like storm drains.
7. Avoid Bulky Items – For the next one or two weeks, avoid placing bulky items or large amounts of trash at the curb so drivers can collect items as quickly and efficiently as possible. The longer it takes a driver to collect items at your house, the longer it takes them to get to get to your neighbor.

Remember – Fire safety and quick waste collection start with you! Use these tips to protect yourself, waste collection professionals, your community, and the environment by taking the necessary precautions. Also, don’t forget that this week's residential trash and recycling are on a holiday schedule. Waste Management did not collect items on July 4. The collection schedule for this week will be adjusted accordingly, with a one-day delay:

• Thursday Collections - Put your items out on Friday, July 5
• Friday Collections - Place your items at the curb or street edge on Saturday, July 6

To learn more about Solid Waste Management, read frequently asked questions, and view helpful tips, visit wycokck.org/Waste. To report a service issue, call 3-1-1.