Smoke Detectors
| Reuse | Recycle | Disposal |
|---|---|---|
| Currently, there is no reuse option available for this item. | Both photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms contain plastic, electronic circuit boards and in some cases, batteries. It's important to know that ionization smoke detectors/alarms contain a small amount of americium-241, a radioactive material, within a sealed chamber. This is not an environmental hazard unless the smoke detector is damaged or crushed. Call the manufacturer to see if the detector can be returned and recycled. Remember to first remove the battery for recycling or disposal. | All photoelectric type detectors are considered waste and can be disposed of with your household waste. Remember to first remove rechargeable and non-alkaline batteries. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, a single ionization type detector may be disposed of in the household waste. Returning an old detector to the manufacturer is preferable because it reduces environmental risk and avoids it being discarded into a landfill. |