A local Boy Scout has been collecting old and worn American flags for retirement over the past month for his Eagle Scout service project.

Carl Mowrey, an aspiring Eagle Scout, has been collecting Bothell’s ripped or tattered American flags since Memorial Day and will continue to through Monday. According to Mowrey, he’s already collected about 30 flags.

The flags are made up of either natural or synthetic material and Mowrey’s troop, Troop 655, retire them in two different ways. The natural flags are respectfully burned while the synthetic flags are cut up until they “no longer represent the United States” and properly recycled.

Mowrey said he came up with this idea after his uncle’s parents asked him if Troop 655 would retire their flag for them.

“I was thinking that there were probably more people in the community that needed that service done for them,” he said.

This project will help Mowrey earn the rank of Eagle Scout under the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The BSA require Eagle Scout applicants to complete a community service project among numerous other prerequisites.

Mowrey and Troop 655, ask that community members properly fold their old flags and drop them off at one of the collection boxes at Bothell City Hall, the Canyon Park Place Recology Store or the Bothell Library.

Additionally, Mowrey can arrange a pickup over email if someone is unable to drop of their flag at one of these locations.

For more information, contact Mowrey at retireyourflag@outlook.com or on his Facebook page @BothellFlagRetirement before July 10.