SWAG agenda 110415 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

0 Memorandum To: Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) From: Orange County Solid Waste Staff Subject: Smoke Detector and Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Recycling Date: October 19, 2015 Below is information regarding proper recycling procedures for smoke detectors as well as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) including safety information for handling these materials. The SWAG had inquired about the items at the September meeting. SMOKE DETECTORS or SMOKE ALARMS There are two types of smoke detectors available for households: ionization detectors and photoelectric detectors. Ionization detectors contain a small amount of Americium -241, a radioactive element. There are no solid waste regulations that prevent a resident from throwing an old unwanted ionization detector in their regular garbage because the amount of radioactivity is low, and it is encased inside the detector. However, these detectors cannot be taken to either one of the Household Hazardous Waste collection facilities because these facilities are not permitted to accept any radioactive waste of any kind— not even the small amount found in a household smoke detector. Instead of discarding them in the garbage, smoke detectors can be recycled by sending them back to the original manufacturer (name and address should be stamped on the underside of the unit). Please be aware that shipping and handling is paid by the sender, not the recipient. Here are a few resources: Kidde brand –1- 800 - 880 -6788 –will send a pre -paid label for you to ship their brand back to them. • First Alert brand – 1- 800 - 323 -9005 Curie Services -- http: / /www.curieservices.com/ smoke - alarm - recycling /curiepack/ - a third party vendor offering recycling services for all brands of smoke detectors. Unwanted photoelectric detectors can be disposed of in the household trash with no issue -just remove and recycle the battery first. Batteries can be recycled at all five Waste and Recycling Centers and the Household Hazardous Waste collection facilities in Orange County. All three Weaver Street Market locations, Whole Foods and True Value Hardware stores in Chapel Hill accept batteries for recycling as well. In addition, it is recommended to place a strip of masking tape across the terminals of 9 -volt batteries before you recycle them to reduce fire risk. If two 9 -volt batteries containing even a residual charge touch terminals it can create a spark which could lead to a fire.