How To Recycle A Smoke Detector

How To Recycle A Smoke Detector? Send them to the manufacturer. Do NOT throw them in the garbage as they are radioactive. For more information see below...

According the Wikipedia:

Americium can be produced in kilogram amounts and has some uses, mostly involving ²⁴¹Am since it is easiest to produce relatively pure samples of this isotope. Americium is the only synthetic element to have found its way into the household, where one common type of smoke detector contains a tiny amount (about 0.2 microgram) of ²⁴¹Am as a source of ionizing radiation.^[2] This amount emits about 1 microcurie of nuclear radiation when new, with the amount declining slowly as the americium decays into neptunium, a different transuranic element, with a much longer half-life (about 2.14 million years). With its half-life of 432 years, the americium-241 in a smoke detector includes about 5% neptunium after 22 years, and about 10% after 43 years. After the 432-year americium-241 half-life, a smoke detector's original americium would, by definition, be more than half neptunium.

RECYCLING:

Find the name of the manufacturer and look them up on line to find their address. Package and mail the device by ground mail only. Mark the package and make sure that the outside of the package is properly marked.

Marking The Package:

(According to USPS Postal Document 347.4)

The outside of the inner receptacle or the outside of the secondary packaging must be marked “Radioactive.” The address side of the mailpiece must clearly and prominently display the following markings, as applicable:
Mailable Instruments and Articles: “This package conforms to the conditions and limitations specified in 49 CFR 173.424 for radioactive material, excepted package-instruments or articles, UN2910 and is within Postal Service activity limits for mailing.”

Hand letter or Copy and Paste and Print:

RADIOACTIVE (Smoke Detector For Recycling)

This package conforms to the conditions and limitations specified in 49 CFR 173.424 for radioactive material, excepted package-instruments or articles, UN2910 and is within Postal Service activity limits for mailing.

Send by Ground Mail Only.

NOTES: Check with your mail person to make sure that your package is fine to ship under the current ever changing rules of the postal service.

Choosing A GREEN Smoke Detectors:

What To Buy: Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Alarms