Green Living: Recycle Ammunition: Livingston County, Michigan

The best way to cut down on excess ammunition that will require recycling is to only purchase the amount of ammunition you will actually use in your firearm or weapon at any given time. Storing unused ammunition in your home can be dangerous, even when you have a safety plan in place. By having unused ammunition in your home, you may place your family, your friends, and yes, even yourself at risk.

If you are storing ammunition in your home, please be certain to store the unused ammunition in a safe place. This doesn't just mean to put unused ammunition in a closed cabinet, and you should never store ammunition in a gun even if the safety is on. Instead, you should consider storing ammunition according to manufacturer specifications. To be as safe as possible ammunition should also be placed in a secure, locked ammunition cabinet or safe. This will help prevent the ammunition from being accidentally discharged due to environmental conditions, or when loaded into a weapon in placed in unskilled or malicious hands.

It is also an excellent idea to store ammunition away from the gun it is used in. This can help to prevent accidents involving young children, who may think it's cool to show off with friends and load the gun like adults. Again, the best prevention to ammunition accidents is to only purchase the specific amount of ammunition you will be using in a short period of time.

However, if you are in Livingston County and find yourself with excess ammunition; don't just toss it into the regular trash. Disposing of ammunition in the local trash places solid waste handlers at risk. The ammunition could accidentally discharge due to environmental conditions such as heat, or pressure applied by the waste management truck.

A better idea is to contact the local Sherriff's Department about ammunition disposal. A simple phone call can arrange ammunition drop off and recycling, in safe conditions. This way, everyone can stay safe and no one is placed at risk with excess ammunition. If you have any concerns about how to transport your ammunition for disposal, please contact the local Sheriff's Department for more information. Often they will accept unused ammunition for use on the shooting range. Transporting and recycling excess ammunition safely helps the environment, and it also helps prevent unnecessary accidents.

Instead of dialing 911 (unless you are in an emergent situation with ammunition), you can reach the Livingston County Sherriff's Department by calling (517) 546-2440. Alternately, you can drop in to the department at the address below:

Livingston County Sheriff's Department

5150 Highlander WayHowell, Michigan 48843
(517) 546-2440