Eagle Scout project creates proper US flag disposal containers

Tooele City partners with local Boy Scouts to provide dignified way to retire worn American flags

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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In Tooele, Utah, a local Eagle Scout candidate named David Spencer took on a project to build three new containers for the proper disposal of worn American flags. Previously, residents would mistakenly throw flags in a barrel at City Hall, not realizing it was meant for respectful flag retirement. Spencer's project, completed in October 2025, provides clearly marked containers at three locations around the city where residents can drop off old flags to be properly retired, usually by burning, as per the U.S. Flag Code.

Why it matters

Proper flag disposal is an important civic duty, but many people are unaware of the correct protocol. Spencer's project helps educate the community and ensures American flags are treated with the respect they deserve, rather than being discarded improperly.

The details

Spencer, a local Boy Scout, fundraised $500 to build three flag disposal containers and installed them at Tooele City Hall, Tooele City Fire Department Station Three, and the Parks and Recreation main office. Each container can hold about 20 flags at a time. Since the containers were installed, over 200 worn flags have been collected and will be retired during Tooele's annual Fourth of July observance.

  • Spencer started the project in April 2025 and completed it in October of that year.
  • The new flag disposal containers were installed in October 2025.

The players

David Spencer

A local Eagle Scout candidate who took on the project to build new flag disposal containers for Tooele City.

Darwin Cook

Spencer's Scoutmaster, who provided guidance and support throughout the project.

Ryan Spencer

David Spencer's father, who expressed pride in his son's accomplishment.

Tooele City

The local government that partnered with the Boy Scouts to provide proper flag disposal services.

American Legion

An organization that works with the city and Boy Scouts to respectfully retire the collected flags.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted something that, as these flags are in there, people are recognizing that it's a container for a respected purpose, not just to discard something in a can.”

— Darwin Cook, Scoutmaster (tooeleonline.com)

“If a flag does need to be retired, please make sure to take it to one of these retirement boxes. You don't need to worry about doing it yourself; just drop it off, and then the city, the American Legion, or the Scouts will take care of it. The flags will be respectfully retired.”

— David Spencer, Eagle Scout (tooeleonline.com)

What’s next

The city will continue to collect worn American flags from the disposal containers and work with the American Legion to properly retire them during the annual Fourth of July observance.

The takeaway

This project highlights the importance of community-driven initiatives to educate the public and provide proper channels for respectfully retiring the American flag. Spencer's Eagle Scout project has made it easier for Tooele residents to fulfill their civic duty and honor the flag.