As humans, we are all made in a way that we want to feel safe every time. This is our nature, and we can’t afford to compromise on it. For many of us, being safe all the time requires detecting harm before it is full-blown. This explains why we have many devices that give us head-ups about imminent dangers in our homes, offices, and elsewhere.
One of these devices that have proven useful to us is the smoke detectors. Smoke detectors help us detect fire disasters’ imminence by raising the alarm when it senses smoke in our surroundings. This smoke detector has been very useful to many people as it has averted disasters before it gets out of hand.
While we recognize the smoke detectors’ usefulness, there is yet another angle we have been missing out on. And that is the environmental impact of the smoke detector. Like you might have known, there is no use that lasts forever; it will wear out and become useless at a point.
Where this happens, what is the next thing? This question is worth considering with all hastiness, so we have decided to answer some salient questions in this post. Below, you will find out if you can recycle smoke detectors and whether they are radioactive. We will treat how to recycle smoke detectors and finally how to dispose of them. As you can see, there is a lot in stock for you. So, what do you do? Sit back and enjoy reading.
Are Smoke Detectors Recyclable?
The frequent use of smoke detectors in residential, work, and recreational buildings make this question important. For some states in the U.S, it is legally mandatory for homeowners to put smoke detectors in their homes. This suggests that in each of those states, all the houses have smoke detectors in vital places. And since smoke detectors don’t last forever, there is a need to consider recycling them. But then, is this possible?
The answer to this is in two folds. The first fold says that smoke detectors are not recyclable, while the second opines that it is.
This may not be the answer you are looking for, but then that is the situation. However, there have to be reasons for these different answers, so what is the reason?
Some people say it is not recyclable and the reason is not beyond the fact that the smoke detectors contain different materials. It might be difficult to recycle the device without first separating the materials in a situation like this. While this may look easy to do, it requires some technical operations and skills. And the problem is that not all recycling stations can boast of these technical skills and machines. This is why you will often find recycling stations excluding smoke detectors from their recyclables.
On the other hand, people say you can recycle it because it is made with different recyclable materials. For these people, recycling smoke detectors should not be an issue once the recyclable parts have been dismantled. For a typical smoke detector, there are plastic and metal materials on different sides. What needs to be done is for recycling stations to separate these materials and recycle them accordingly.
As you have seen, there are two sides to it. And what makes the difference is the technical and operational skills of your local recycling station. If your recycling station has what it takes to separate the smoke detectors’ materials, then the answer is going to be that smoke detectors are recyclable. If not, you can choose to stick with the fact that it is not.
Whatever may be the case, always confirm that your local recycling station accepts smoke detectors before putting them in the recycling bin.
Are Smoke Detectors Radioactive?
Knowing whether smoke detectors are recyclable is important for different reasons. But one of the paramount reasons is for safety purposes and guiding our handling of the device. In this segment, you will find out the true state of things. So, get ready.
For a start, yes, smoke detectors are radioactive. But, there is more to this, right? So, let’s broach further.
There are two basic types of smoke detectors. The first is the smoke detector with a photoelectric makeup that senses smoke by using a laser. These smoke detectors are less powerful in detecting smoke and are not very much in use.
The second type is the smoke detector with an ionization chamber. This type has a radioactive material that tends to create a chemical reaction once it senses smoke in its chambers. This type of smoke detectors is more powerful and often in use in many homes.
But then, this is the first half of the matter. The second half is whether you are exposed to any danger using the second type of smoke detectors? The answer is No. Though the smoke detectors may contain some radiation, it is far from being powerful enough to cause you harm. For now, there are no health-related issues from the tiny radiation caused by smoke detectors.
So, let your mind be at peace always.
Why Should You Recycle Smoke Detectors?
Though you have read above that smoke detectors radiation are nothing much to worry about. However, we might be creating a problem if we don’t handle them properly. If you throw your smoke detectors in the trash, they will probably end up in the landfill. If everyone does the same, we would have many radioactive materials in a congested area with the ability to cause harm to the surrounding. This is why you should make it important to recycle your smoke detectors.
Apart from this, smoke detectors are made with recyclable materials like plastics and metal materials. Generally, these materials take a lot of time to biodegrade in the landfill. For instance, plastic materials can take up to a hundred years before it breaks down. And when it does, it only reduces into microplastics, which remain in the soil for another long year. This kind of situation is not good for the environment, and to avoid this, you have to recycle these materials.
Not all recycling stations accept smoke detectors, but you shouldn’t let all this to deter you. You can always find out from your local recycling stations and be referred to another station if yours doesn’t accept smoke detectors.
How To Recycle Smoke Detectors?
Recycling smoke detectors are as important as knowing how to recycle them. We must draw a line between doing something and knowing how to do it properly. If you recall that smoke detectors are a bit radioactive, you will appreciate treating them well. So, when it comes to recycling your smoke detectors, how do you go about it?
First, you have to understand that smoke detectors are not one thing you can recycle in your home. You have to let the experts handle them. So, here’s what to do.
Once your smoke detectors are out of use, you have to package them and send them back to their manufacturing companies. It is here that the decision of recycling would be taken. While this looks easy, it is not the case for everyone. The thing is that not all manufacturing companies will be open to receiving their smoke detectors. This is why you must confirm their policy about smoke detectors before taking the first step about recycling.
In this light, you can check the website of the United States Postal service by clicking here. This will allow you to browse through the manufacturing companies receiving their smoke detectors and narrow them down to the one closest to you.
While browsing, you may find some instructions that may require you to inform the manufacturing company ahead of time or even paying some recycling fee. You may also be required to box the smoke detectors and label them accordingly.
In all, in recycling the smoke detectors, ensure you don’t smash or crush them. This may prove dangerous to you or your loved ones. The reason for this is because of the Americium 241 in it. It poses no harm if it is intact, but if you crush the smoke detectors, it can leak out and cause harm.
So, for your safety, you must keep the smoke detectors intact by not attempting to break them apart or destroy them. Allow the experts to handle it, and you will have no problem. So, that’s it. Recycling your smoke detectors cannot be easier.
How To Dispose Of Used Smoke Detectors?
Disposing of things is like second nature to many of us. For some reason, the next thing that pops into our mind once we notice something’s uselessness is how to dispose of it. While this may be good for some reasons, we have to be careful with it.
The reason? Disposing of things carelessly has proven to not be the best option. Aside from the fact that they end up where they are not desired, they can also harm the environment, waiting for a trigger. In this light, a strong case is made for properly disposing of your smoke detectors.
But then, how do you do this?
1. Recycle Them
First, as you have seen above, you can always recycle your smoke detectors. To us, this first thing first, and we may not recommend another means with full confidence. By recycling your smoke detectors, you are not only getting rid of them; you are also helping the environment.
And what’s more important, you are saving yourself from potential hazards that could emanate from wrongly handling the smoke detectors. We have already explained what to do when recycling your smoke detectors above. So, you may want to take a look again.
2. Trash Them
To be honest, we are not entirely in support of this method because of the environmental impact. For this reason, we would advise that this should be your last option. If you have tried recycling to no avail, you can try to trash them.
But then, how do you do this?
First, you should remember not to break or crush your smoke detectors. What you have to do is box them properly and place them in your trash bin. For now, not many hazardous waste collectors collect smoke detectors, so you have to handle it yourself.
In all, always try your best to send your smoke detectors for recycling. If you can’t, then you may resort to trashing it.
Conclusion
Smoke detectors have proven to be useful in helping to avert fire disasters. This is why we can’t afford to do away with them. Nonetheless, we have to treat them properly if we want to avert any direct or indirect environmental harm. For this, you have been provided with two options above in handling your smoke detectors. The ball is now in your court; take the best choice.
Sources:
http://www.recyclect.com/beyond-the-bin.html#!rc-cpage=200471
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2012/pb22334/html/cover_025.htm
https://www.fs.fed.us/eng/toolbox/haz/haz25.htm
