The Great Lakes Bay Veterans Coalition (Coalition) in partnership with Dow and International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) collects used flags from local veterans and business organizations for safe and proper disposal.
Flags are made from a wide variety of materials including cotton, nylon, and other synthetics. When burned, nylon and synthetic materials can create fumes that should not be inhaled. This has resulted in some municipalities banning the burning of flags inside city limits.
The Coalition collects the nylon and synthetic flags for disposal and leaves some of the cotton flag for the veteran’s organization to conduct a flag disposal ceremony on June 14th.
The Coalition’s partnership with Dow allows for flags to be burned in a safe and proper manner without impact to the environment or the community.
This program, which is free to all, disposes of approximately 4,000 flags a year. Flags are gathered twice per year and disposed of on Flag Day, June 14th.
How does an organization partner with us to dispose of their flags?
Organizations wishing to have the Coalition assist with disposing of their flags only need to contact us and start the discussion. We will set up time for pick-up of the flags. We pick the flags up in May and November. This is of no cost to the organization
Important Dates
2023 Agenda
November/2022 – Pick up flags from local organizations
May/2022 – Pick up flags from local organizations
06/01/2023 – repackage flags in proper containers
06/14/2023 – Transport flags to Dow for proper disposal
2023 Goal
Our goal for 2023 is 26 drums (3900 flags).
Organizations Participating
The following organizations partner with us to dispose of their flags.
Ace Hardware, Midland
American Legion Post 18, Bay City
American Legion Post 165, Midland
American Legion Post 212, Chesaning
American Legion Post 229, Saginaw
American Legion Post 443, Sanford
American Legion Post 468, St Charles
Event Partners
American Legion Post 18
American Legion Post 165
American Legion Post 212
American Legion Post 229
American Legion Post 443
American Legion Post 468
Coalition Partners
For more information
Please contact us with any questions or if you want to have us help with disposing of your nylon and synthetic flags