Retiring a tattered flag should be done with respect.
According to federal law, retiring U.S. flags that are torn and tattered requires certain procedures that demonstrate respect for the flag as a symbol of the country. Individuals may dispose of flags or turn the task over to various patriotic organizations; another option is to look for ways to recycle U.S. flags.
Flag Code
The U.S. Code, a compilation of federal laws, contains the U.S. Flag Code. This code states that when the flag "is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning"
Disposal
Individuals who want to dispose of a flag should first cut the flag apart, so it can no longer be considered a flag. This consists of cutting the stripes into 13 individual stripes and removing the stars from the blue background, which should always be left whole. Then the flag is considered ready to burn. Another acceptable method for disposing of a flag is to leave it whole, fold it into the customary triangle and then place it into the fire.
Groups that Dispose of Flags
It may be difficult to dispose of a flag as an individual because of burning ordinances or other issues. Many groups, such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts will take tattered flags and burn them in a proper ceremony. A flag retirement ceremony may include a chaplain who offers a prayer followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of the Flag Code. The ceremony often is dedicated to a patriotic individual.
Care when Burning
In earlier times when flags were made of cotton or wool, there was no problem in burning flags because these materials burned slowly and evenly. Today, nylon, rayon and polyester flags present problems because they burn quickly and release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Flags made of petroleum-based products often are buried instead of burned.
Recycling
Recycling American flags is not a new idea; citizens actually have been recycling the fabric from the U. S. flag since the early 1800s. In the past, often the parts of flags in acceptable condition were used to repair the worn parts of other worn flags. Today, because of the hazardous nature of burning nylon flags, a process is used that converts all of the nylon in a flag into new nylon material that can then be used to make a new flag.
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