Flag drop box with vinyl wrap by Iconography. The Newport Harbor Elks Lodge was having difficulties keeping mail out of their flag drop box – a place to retire Old Glory when she’s no longer fit to fly.
The solution – wrap this re-purposed mailbox with a vinyl print in an American flag-like pattern, and finish with a descriptive placard that hopefully will deter more mail being mistakenly dropped into the box. This flag wrap worked so well, the box actually left our shop with a flag deposit!
A vinyl wrap can be used to dress up just about any vehicle, window, wall, instrument or other item. At Iconography Studios, we’ve wrapped all kinds of things from Accordions to Hovercraft! We can wrap almost anything, except for certain plastic items that have a rough finish as the vinyl just won’t stick.
A vinyl wrap is basically like custom wallpaper printed with whatever imagery you have in mind. We can use photos, text, graphic design, logos or a combination of all of the above.
What Is A Flag Drop Box And Why Use One?
Flag drop boxes are dedicated collection points designed for the respectful disposal of worn, torn, or faded American flags. They exist to help citizens adhere to the U.S. Flag Code, which states that a flag no longer fit for display should be destroyed in a “dignified way,” preferably by burning.
These boxes are typically sturdy, weather-resistant containers—often resembling mailboxes—placed in easily accessible public areas. Many are made of heavy-gauge stainless steel or wood-plastic composites and are often painted with patriotic themes or clearly labeled for flag retirement.
They serve as a middle ground for people who cannot or do not want to conduct a private retirement ceremony themselves.
Flag drop boxes exist out of symbolic respect: The U.S. Flag Code considers the flag a “living thing”. Tossing it in the trash is considered highly disrespectful to the nation, its veterans, and active military members. Once the boxes are full, the flags are collected by authorized organizations to be retired in formal ceremonies. Modern flags made of synthetic materials like nylon or polyester can release toxic fumes if burned improperly at home. Professional organizations ensure they are handled safely or sent to textile recyclers.
What Is The History of Flag Drop Boxes?
Flag drop boxes originated from grassroots efforts, often initiated by individuals, Boy Scouts, or veterans’ groups like the American Legion and VFW to provide a dignified, accessible way to retire worn, torn, or faded American flags. These repositories, which often repurpose old mailboxes, ensure flags are properly disposed of via ceremonies.
- Origins: The concept began as a solution for citizens needing to properly dispose of flags, with early, often ad-hoc, boxes installed at community locations like Lowe’s, town halls, and police stations.
- Repurposing Materials: In 2013, a Kansas American Legion post famously converted an old, unused U.S. post-office box into a repository.
- Eagle Scout Projects: Many boxes are installed as part of Boy Scout Eagle projects, which help increase the number of accessible locations for flag disposal.
- Expansion: Organizations like the National Flag Foundation and American Security Cabinets have scaled the initiative, providing dedicated, manufactured, and decorated boxes to municipalities and businesses across the U.S..
These boxes, often placed in high-traffic areas, directly facilitate the requirement under the U.S. Flag Code that flags in poor condition be destroyed in a dignified manner. These boxes are frequently established as community service projects, such as Eagle Scout or Gold Award projects. They are usually managed by:
- Veterans Organizations: Local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts.
- Government Offices: City halls, county buildings, and police or fire stations.
- Civic Groups: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the National Association of Counties (NACo).
These resources define flag drop boxes and outline the respectful procedures for retiring worn American flags.
Not sure what to do with your old flag? Well, if you are anywhere near Newport Beach, CA, you can swing by the Elks Lodge #1767 and drop your retired flag into this handsome box. The Elks Lodge will properly dispose of your flag.
Got a unique project in mind? Give the experts at Iconography a call today at 562-424-4353
