Undertaken by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) the program regularly offers a convenient and free disposal of marine flares that have reached expiry.

Flares contain hazardous materials that must be disposed of correctly.

For Mid Coast boaties, mobile collection points will be held at three locations on January 10, 2022.

Marine flares are used in boating emergencies.

Flares are a signal for help and to assist with establishing a vessel's location.

Most flares have a use-by date of three years from manufacture.

Penalties apply where flares are not replaced within their expiry period.

It is also an offence to set off flares except in the case of an emergency.

"Many people think flares can be placed into their general garbage collection, but flares are highly flammable and can be dangerous to the collectors," MidCoast Council waste services manager, David Rees said.

"They can cause fire and damage to property, and they're hazardous for the environment if they end up in our landfills," Mr Rees said.

Local boat owners should regularly inspect their on-board flares, check the expiry dates, and take advantage of the RMS mobile collection program.

The mobile collection will be returning to Mid-Coast in April and June 2022.

For more information, and to view collection locations, visit the disposing of expired marine flares on the NSW Government website.