How to Properly Display and Dispose of American Flags

Did you know the average outdoor flag lasts only about 90 days? Flying the stars and stripes outside your home is a great way to showcase pride in our county. But the ever-changing weather and the blasting rays of the sun will inevitably result in a worn-out flag.

The United States has a set of laws pertaining to disposal known as the United States Flag Code, or “retiring the flag."

DISPOSE FLAGS

If you have an American flag like this, you can properly dispose of it at a few county government locations:

GOVERNMENT CENTER

When you walk into the lobby of the Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax), you’ll see a new flag disposal box located near the main information desk. The American Legion will collect flags and conduct a Flag Retirement Ceremony at its site.

I-66 / I-95 TRANSFER STATIONS

Flag disposal boxes are now located at the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex and are available during residential hours. The American Legion will collect flags and conduct a Flag Retirement Ceremony at its site.

POLICE STATIONS

All Fairfax County Police stations accept American flags and they are collected twice a year by Police Honor Guard for proper disposal.

• Fair Oaks District Station
  12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax
• Franconia District Station
  6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria
• Mason District Station
  6507 Columbia Pike , Annandale
• McLean District Station
  1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean
• Mount Vernon District Station
  2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria
• Reston District Station
  1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston
• Sully District Station
  4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly
• West Springfield District Station
  6140 Rolling Road, Springfield

BURIAL

You can bury a flag in the ground in a well-constructed container to keep it protected. In the U.S. Flag Code, it states the cloth should not come in contact with the ground or dirt. Fold it properly and place it in the box. Take a moment of silence or respectfully say a few words as you bury the box.

SHREDDING

Shredding gives you multiple options to either burn, bury, or recycle the material once it is disassembled. But you must do this in a proper and respectful manner, as with all American flag disposal options.

In the first technique, you must separate each of the white and red stripes.

The other option is to cut the flag in half vertically, and then again horizontally.

The most important step for both procedures is to make sure the blue section with the stars stays intact.

Flag recycling is common with synthetic, and nylon made flags because burning these materials can be hazardous.