Do You Know How to Properly Dispose of a Worn American Flag?

Flying your Flag on Veteran’s Day?

As you pull out your flag on Veteran’s Day, inspect it to see whether needs to be washed, repaired or whether it should be retired. According to the U.S Flag Code, any American flag that is worn, damaged or tattered beyond repair should be disposed of in a respectful and dignified manner. Throwing your flag in the trash IS NOT an option. Washing or repairing it IS an option as long as it meets certain standards.

Can Your Flag be Washed or Repaired?
If your flag is dirty or dingy, washing it may save it from early retirement. Washing flags is not prohibited and in fact, washing your flag on a regular basis can prolong its life. Most outdoor flags can be hand washed with a mild laundry detergent and left to air dry. Flags can also be dry-cleaned. In addition, it is acceptable to make minor repairs to a damaged flag. Repairs should not be conspicuous and dimensions of the flag should not be noticeably altered. Flags with large tears or excessive fraying should be retired.

Proper Disposal Methods for your Unserviceable Flag
If your flag is no longer serviceable, the preferred method of disposal is in a formal flag retirement ceremony where it is incinerated. It is also acceptable for individuals to seal an old flag in a box or bag and bury it, or to burn it in a respectful private ceremony.

Flag Day (June 14) is a popular date for many service organizations, including the American Legion and Boy Scouts, to collect worn flags and conduct flag retirement ceremonies. Many of the more than 50 American Legion posts in Central Iowa have flag collection receptacles available for public drop-off year round. Check with the post near you to see if they have this service available. Other organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Girls Scouts of America have flag disposal options available, too.

You can also take your old flags to these locations for proper disposal:

American Legion of Iowa
Department Headquarters
720 Lyon Street
Des Moines, Iowa
M-F; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mid-Iowa Council, Boy Scouts of America
1659 E. Euclid Avenue
Des Moines, IA
M-F; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.