As boaters, we all know that our life jackets are some of the most important pieces of safety equipment we own. We wear them every time we go out on the water to ensure that if the worst happens, we’ll have the best chance of making it back to shore.
But what about when it’s time to retire our trusty life jackets? How should we dispose of them properly and safely?
First, it’s important to understand the different types of life jackets and their materials. Traditional foam-filled life jackets are classified as non-biodegradable waste due to the materials that they are made from. This means that they cannot be safely disposed of in the regular garbage, as they will not break down over time and could be harmful to the environment.
The proper method of disposing of foam-filled life jackets is to take them to a recycling center that accepts them. Many boating supply stores and fire departments will have drop-off points for old life jackets. This allows the materials to be properly disposed of and recycled.
Inflatable life jackets, on the other hand, have a slightly different disposal process. These life jackets typically contain a carbon dioxide cylinder that needs to be removed before disposal. After that, the life jacket can be safely thrown away in the regular trash.
It’s important to note that it’s not recommended to donate old life jackets to thrift stores or other charities. Life jackets are safety equipment, and it’s important to ensure that they are functioning properly to provide the intended protection.
In general, the most important thing to remember when disposing of old life jackets is to ensure that they are safely and responsibly recycled or thrown away. By taking the proper steps to dispose of life jackets, we can help keep our environment clean and safe for future generations of boaters.