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Eau Claire County Recycling Program
How & Where to Recycle Specific Materials
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Updated June 2, 2008
Most smoke detectors contain a small amount of Americium 241, a radioactive material. On the wall, a smoke detector is safe but if broken open in a landfill, it can pose a health threat. All detectors that have radioactive components must be labeled as such. The companies that manufacture detectors accept returned units for disposal as hazardous waste.
The majority of smoke detectors sold in the United States are made by First Alert. They will recycle them if you return them at your expense and pay $1.00 for a disposal fee. In order to use their system, you must call them at 1-800-323-9005 and set up an account to pay either by credit card or check.
Most other smoke detectors are made by a Canadian company called American Sensors. Call them at 1-800-387-4219.
Carbon monoxide detectors do not contain any hazardous materials so they can be safely thrown away. However, they do contain circuit boards and platinum, both of which are worth recycling. First Choice Computer Recycling (1125 Starr Avenue, Eau Claire, 833-2005) will accept them for a nominal fee.
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