Every home should have a fully functioning smoke detector. It seems that in homes where a fire-related death occurs, the majority are associated with homes that had smoke detectors, but they weren’t working. Even though the average lifespan of a smoke detector is 10 years, it is a good idea to replace them more often so you can be sure your home is protected.
So when it’s time to replace your smoke detector, what should you do with the old one? Smoke detector recycling may not be your first thought. However, in this article, you’ll read about why it is safer and more environmentally friendly to recycle your smoke detector.
Inside Your Smoke Detector
Your average smoke detector comprises all the usual bits of plastic and circuitry you would expect to see in a small electronic sensor. Electrical recycling is convenient as most of these components can be recycled in some way. Disposing of your old detector using a recycling bin for plastics as part of your household recycling would be a sensible and responsible method.
That said, there are some elements of your smoke detector that are far from average. For example, one type of smoke detector uses ionization to detect smoke. To ionize the air, a small amount of radioactive material is used within the internal chamber of the sensor.
As smoke enters the chamber, it changes the electrical conductivity of the air, which triggers the alarm. Clever detection method, but this type of smoke detector needs more consideration when recycling it. Other sensors rely on light-sensitive diodes and can be more easily recycled.
Easy Smoke Detector Recycling
Before you decide how to recycle a smoke detector, you should read what’s written on the cover of your existing smoke detector. Some smoke detectors will indicate whether they contain radioactive material or not. A good all-around option is to drop your smoke detector off at the local recycling center, as they will know how best to handle it.
An alternative forward-thinking option is to buy a brand that comes with a return policy for when you’re ready to recycle it. In which case, you can simply post it back to the manufacturer, and they will take care of the rest.
If none of those seem like the most practical option for you, then you can consider using one of our smoke detector recycling kits. These come with all the instructions on what to do and includes a prepaid shipping label. This is a great option as you can have a good conscience about the environment with no fuss and at your convenience.
Happy Recycling
In this article, you’ve read about smoke detector recycling and some of the important things you should consider before replacing your old smoke detector. We’ve also considered some of the easiest and hassle-free ways to recycle your smoke detector, no matter what type of sensor it may have.
Recycling is a mindset, and it is super commendable that this is on your radar. We offer other recycling kits, so if you’ve got questions, please check out the faqs on our site or get in touch using the contact form.