Smoke detectors

The most common type of smoke detector contains a small amount of radioactive material (Americium 241). Smoke detectors are not accepted at the Agency's Household Hazardous Waste Facility or related programs.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved disposal of residential quantities of smoke detectors in household garbage. Please remove any batteries from devices before placing in the garbage. While disposal in regular garbage is allowed, it is environmentally preferable to mail them back to manufacturers offering take-back programs. See list below or call the call the manufacturer's 800# for instructions.

Related topics:

See Batteries - Household
See Carbon monoxide detectors