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Smoke Detector Recycling
Smoke Detector Recycling

Smoke detectors have long posed a challenge for disposal, because many use small amounts of radioactive material, americium-241, to detect smoke. Though top environmental and industry experts indicate that it is safe to dispose of smoke detectors in residential trash, we partner with a number of fire and EMS departments to offer our residents the opportunity to recycle unwanted detectors. Explore the map below to find nearby Porter County smoke detector recycling locations. You can also recycle smoke detectors at our Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events.

Smoke Detector Recycling Locations

Address
546 S. 400 W
City
Valparaiso
Phone
219-465-3694
Address
702 Broadway
City
Chesterton
Phone
(219) 926-7162
Address
109 North Washington St.
City
Hebron
Address
10645 Randolph St., Suite D
City
Winfield
Phone
(219) 662-7576
Address
453 SR 8
City
Hebron
Phone
(219) 464-9663
Address
111 Hillcrest Rd.
City
Ogden Dunes
Phone
(219) 763-1008
Listing Title
Address
6451 U.S. Highway 12
City
Portage
Address
3401 Swanson Rd.
City
Portage
Phone
(219) 762-7404
Address
398 W 700 North
City
Valparaiso
Phone
(219) 759-3919
Address
551 West State Road 130
City
Wheeler
Address
2605 Cumberland Drive
City
Valparaiso
Phone
(219) 462-8325

Additional Information

We will send unwanted detectors collected through this program to Curie Environmental Services, where the americium-124 will be segregated and sent to a special waste fill. The hard plastic case and remaining metals will all be recycled and diverted from the solid waste stream.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says smoke detectors do not pose a health threat as long as they are not tampered with and used as directed.

Carbon monoxide detectors do not contain radioactivity and can be recycled in Porter County Recycling’s regular electronics recycling program.

The Porter County Fire Association and the National Fire Protection Association recommend checking all smoke detectors every six months to ensure they are in working order. They also recommend replacing smoke detectors every 10 years. Residents should contact their local fire departments with any questions or visit nfpa.org.

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