How To Properly Dispose of your Home Smoke Detector
If your smoke detector has this label on the wall-facing side then it contains radioactive materials.
Did you know that the smoke detector in your home likely contains a small amount of radioactive material (AM-241)? Because of this, it is dangerous to simply throw your detector into a landfill. Check for the radioactive label on the back of the detector facing the mounting base to find out if yours is radioactive.
To safely dispose of your detector it should be mailed back to the manufacturer. Some provide a pre-paid envelope with a new smoke detector purchase so consider replacing old detectors with new ones of the same brand.
For a listing of manufacturer mailing addresses, review this list from the US Postal Service.
For First Alert or BRK Send To:
First Alert Disposal 3901 Liberty Street Aurora IL, 60504 (confirm with USPS to see if there is a special label for mailing smoke detectors)
For Any Brand:
- Curie Environmental
$8.00/detector, includes shipping, bulk options available
Specific instructions on how to send the detector at www.curieservices.com
You will need: quantity & microcuries (found on the back of detector)
Pay online & print the shipping label
For questions (505) 888-9392
- Veolia RecyclePak Program
Any brand radioactive smoke detector. Pre-paid mail-back program. Options for 6 detectors and up, starting at $58.95.
Each company takes apart the detectors to recycle the plastic and other re-usable materials. The radioactive material is then separated and sent to a landfill that is specially designed to take in radioactive waste.