Everything you need to know about recycling smoke detectors
Smoke Detectors includes:
Fire Detectors
Smoke alarms
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Learn more about recycling smoke detectors
How to recycle smoke detectors
Smoke detectors must be disposed of responsibly, especially if it's an ionisation smoke detector, which contains a small amount of radioactive material. When more than ten ionisation smoke detectors are collected together for bulk disposal, they must be treated as radioactive waste and the requirements of the National Health and Medical Research Council's Code of Practice for the Near-Surface Disposal of Radioactive Waste in Australia (1992) must be met.
Some commercial recyclers will accept smoke detectors for safe disposal and recycling. Use the directory on this page to find a recycler near you.
Why recycle?
Smoke detectors are manufactured to a standard (AS 3786) which specifies an effective life of 10 years. After that time, smoke detectors may malfunction and their efficiency may be compromised. They should be replaced every 10 years.
There are two main types of smoke detectors in operation:
1. Ionisation - they detect invisible particles of combustion and contain a very small amount of radioactive material.
2. Photoelectric - they detect visible particles of combustion and contain no radioactive material.
There are currently no legal restrictions placed on the disposal of photoelectric smoke detectors however the disposal of commercial quantities of ionisation must abide by local and state regulations for radioactive waste. When replacing smoke detectors, it is recommended that the replacement smoke detectors be of the photoelectric type, hardwired (i.e. connected to the mains power by a licensed electrician) and interconnected.
What happens to it?
Smoke detectors that are collected for recycling will usually be transported to a facility that specialises in processing electronic waste (e-waste). Smoke detectors are considered e-waste, and their components—like the plastic casing, circuitry, and radioactive materials (in the case of ionisation smoke detectors)—need to be handled properly.
At the recycling facility, the smoke detector is carefully disassembled. If there is radioactive material present, it is carefully extracted and disposed of according to safety regulations. The other parts of the smoke detector, such as plastics, metals, and circuit boards, are then separated for recycling.
