Covanta Fairfax and Fairfax County partner for flag disposal program

Covanta Fairfax, Lorton, Virginia, and the Fairfax County Department of Public Works, in partnership with Fairfax, Virginia’s American Legion Post 177, announced they have launched a U.S. flag retirement program to reverently dispose of old, worn American flags.

While many veteran organizations have flag collection programs in place, the quantity of retired American flags they receive can be overwhelming. According to the organizations, Fairfax County employees have been finding an increasing number of improperly disposed of flags in the waste stream.

To solve this problem and provide an outlet for the honorable disposal of American flags, Fairfax County's Department of Public Works has placed collection boxes at the county’s I-66 transfer station, I-95 landfill, Fairfax County Government Center and local police stations. Flags will be collected free of charge and prepared for retirement in the customary manner in accordance with U.S. Flag Code by the American Legion Post 177 with the assistance of the Boy Scout of America Troop 1887. Prepared flags will be retired at Covanta Fairfax in the customary manner and in accordance with guidance from the American Legion.

To mark the first delivery of prepared flags, Covanta Fairfax hosted a formal flag retirement ceremony that was led by Jeff White, commander at American Legion Post 177, and attended by Fairfax County Supervisor Daniel G. Storck, Deputy Director of Fairfax County Public Works and Environmental Services John Kellas, representatives of Boy Scouts Troop 1887 and local veterans.

"We are honored to assist the American Legion Post 177 to honorably retire the large amount of U.S. flags they receive,” Don Cammarata, business manager at Covanta Fairfax, says. “At Covanta, we hold our veterans in the highest regard and are steadfast in our dedication to these true American heroes. In fact, as an organization, 15 percent of our U.S. workforce is comprised of veterans."

"This new partnership between Fairfax County, the American Legion and Covanta is a wonderful example of the public and private sector coming together for a great cause,” Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly says. “Having attended a flag retirement ceremony at Post 177, I can attest to the hard work the post members put in to properly and honorably dispose of American flags that are past their useful life. Disposing of the American flag can be a difficult thing and this new partnership will give Fairfax County residents new options to dispose of their flags in accordance with the Flag Code. I thank Covanta for the generous use of their facility and wish this new effort great success."