10 Easy Options for Getting Rid of Old Cartridges and Casings

Co-authored by Bryan Villella and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: December 12, 2023 References

Getting rid of your old ammo is relatively easy, but it's important to do it correctly so it's not dangerous to others. We've got several options for disposing your cartridges, whether they're corroded, a dud, or just no longer useful to you. With our help, you'll be able to quickly get rid of your unwanted ammo so you can stop worrying about it. We'll even tell you what not to do with it so you can be as safe as possible.

What You Should Know

Police stations, gun ranges, and gun stores often take ammunition. Just call ahead to check to make sure.
You can also dispose of ammo in a hazardous waste facility or at a hazardous waste collection event.
Never throw ammo in the garbage or bury it, even if you’ve soaked it in water or oil.

1

Call your local police department.

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Many police departments collect old or unused ammunition. Call your local department’s non-emergency line to find out if they will accept your ammo. Typically, they’ll send an officer to your home to collect the bullets. However, they may allow you to drop the ammo off at the police department if you follow certain procedures.^{[1]
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- Don’t bring any ammo into a police department unless they ask you to do so. Usually, an officer will secure the ammo before they bring it in to make sure everyone is safe.

2

Take your ammo to a local gun range.

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Gun ranges may take unused ammo or duds. If the ammo can’t be used, they know how to dispose of it properly.^{[2]
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Research source} Call your local gun ranges to ask if they’ll accept your ammo.
- If you go to the range, you might take the ammo with you on your next visit to see if they’ll accept it.

3

Turn over the ammo to a gun store that accepts it.

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Gun stores may be able to use or dispose of old ammo for you. Call your local gun stores to ask if they accept any unused or unusable ammo. If so, take your cartridges there for disposal.
- If they can’t take your ammo, they may be able to recommend the best option in your area.

4

Drop off ammo to a hazardous waste facility or event.

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Hazardous waste facilities can safely dispose of ammo. Ammo is considered hazardous waste because it can endanger others. Check your city and county's websites to see if they have a hazardous waste collection facility. If not, call your county officials to find out when your community will have a hazardous waste event.^{[3]
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- If you don’t mind traveling to another city, check the counties around you to see if they’re hosting a hazardous waste collection event soon. They may accept waste from other communities, as well.

5

Recycle your ammo by dissembling it with a kinetic puller.

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Kinetic pullers are handheld devices that separate a bullet and casing. You put the bullet inside the kinetic puller, then discharge the cartridge. Afterward, remove the casing and bullet from the puller.^{[4]
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Research source} You can reuse or recycle the bullet and casing once they’re separated.
- Kinetic pullers are generally safe, but trying to separate bullets with other tools can be dangerous. To be safe, never use a tool that's not intended for bullets to try this.
- You might reload the old bullet or casing to make a new, fresh bullet.

6

Rinse used shell casings and bring them to a metal recycler.

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Scrap metal recyclers typically take shell casings. You might even receive a cash payment for your old shell casings. Take your shell casings to a recycler to see how much money you could receive for them.^{[5]
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- Shell casings may be reused to make more bullets, or the metal could be melted down and used for something else.

7

Try posting your ammo on a local buy-sell-trade group.

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Some people use old bullets or shell casings to make jewelry or crafts. They could transform your old ammo into jewelry, decorative items, or a keychain.^{[6]
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Research source} List it for free to get rid of it quickly, or try selling it if you’re hoping to earn a few bucks.
- When you’re selling or giving away an item, always meet the person in public to make the exchange safer.

8

Keep unused ammo out of the trash.

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Unused ammo can go off in the trash compactor. Because of this, it’s very dangerous to put cartridges in the trash.^{[7]
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Research source} Additionally, the metals in the ammunition are hazardous to the environment, so it’s not safe for them to be in the landfill.^{[8]
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Research source} Always dispose of your ammo safely.
- While it’s not illegal to throw away bullets in most areas, you still shouldn’t do it because it’s so dangerous.
- It’s okay to throw away brass casings from spent bullets after you’ve fired them.^{[9]
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9

Never bury ammo because the metal is hazardous.

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Burying bullets is very unsafe. The metal in the bullet can degrade and leech into the soil or groundwater. Since bullets often contain lead, it’s very dangerous to let them taint the water supply. Opt for a safe disposal option instead.
- The gunpowder inside the bullet is safe to bury. It’s the bullet itself that’s problematic.

10

Ignore myths about soaking ammo.

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Even if water penetrates the bullet casing, the gunpowder will dry out once the water evaporates. Oil may damage gunpowder, but it’s unlikely to fully penetrate the bullet. Play it safe and dispose of your ammo with one of the options we’ve provided.^{[10]
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Bryan Villella
Lead Firearms Instructor

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Tips

In general, ammo is safe for use for 10 years after its manufacturing date, but it could stay safe for longer if you store it in a cool, dry place.^{[12]
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If you recycle bullets yourself, use the gunpowder to fertilize your plants.

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