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Fireworks Disposal

Fireworks contain a variety of toxic pollutants, including heavy metals, sulfur-coal compounds, and other poisonous materials. To ensure these pollutants do not end up in our local waterways and negatively impact living organisms/aquatic ecosystems, it is important to properly dispose of fireworks waste and prevent it from entering storm drains on the street.

Be sure to follow the City of Omaha's City Ordinance for discharging fireworks.

Consumer fireworks can be discharged in Omaha from Thursday, July 2 through Saturday, July 4, from noon to 11 p.m. daily. (City Ordinance 20-320). Persons discharging fireworks must be 16 years old or older. Those between the ages of 12 and 16 can discharge fireworks only under direct supervision of someone 19 years old or older.

Additional fireworks safety information can be found on the following websites: 

Watch the following video or follow our step by step Disposal Guide below to see how you can safely and properly dispose of fireworks waste.

Disposal Guide

1) After you complete your fireworks display, wait a minimum of 20 minutes before collecting fireworks waste to ensure that there are no burning materials present. If necessary, use some type of light source (flashlight, exterior light, etc.) to illuminate the area so that all fireworks waste can be clearly seen.

2) All spent fireworks (as well as damaged, misfired, or unused fireworks) should be submerged in a bucket or large tub of water for at least 15 minutes or until they are completely saturated.

3) Seal the saturated fireworks in plastic wrap or a plastic bag.

4) Place the plastic bag into a trash can (ideally, a metal container).

5) Make sure to sweep up any remaining fireworks dust and small debris.

6) Place the material into a plastic bag and discard the bag into a trash can. If possible, keep the trash can containing fireworks waste outside and away from any potential fire hazards until the morning after you complete your fireworks display.

7) The water used to soak fireworks should then be disposed of indoors down a toilet. Do NOT pour the water into a yard or down storm drains. Also, do NOT spray down your driveway/display area with a hose.

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