You know that smoke detectors save lives, but did you know that you can save them from ending their life in a landfill?  “A modern home reaches flashover (not survivable) in 3 1/2 minutes. The only warning you may have is a properly functioning smoke detector,” notes Dave Walker, Kirkland’s Fire Marshal.  The City of Kirkland is the first jurisdiction in Washington State to offer the collection and recycling of smoke detectors.

When Daylight Savings begins and ends, check your smoke detectors. If they need to be replaced, either return them to the manufacturer or bring them to Kirkland City Hall (123 Fifth Ave), Public Works Department during regular business hours to be recycled.

What’s so bad about smoke detectors? Why can’t they go in the trash?

We don’t expect you to know what type of smoke detector you have. There are two common types: ionization and photo­electric detectors. Photoelectric-type smoke detectors do not contain any radioactive material. Ionization smoke detectors, the most common type, contain a very small amount of radioactive material known as Americium-241. On your wall at home, smoke detectors present no danger. However, when broken open in a landfill, the material can pose a health hazard. Although it is legal in Washington to dispose of ionization detectors in the trash, Kirkland residents are now able to do better!

Where will recycled smoke detectors go?

Detectors will be sent to Curie Environmental, who recycles the circuit board, properly disposes Americium-241 in a designed landfill for radioactive materials, and recycles the hard plastic case and remaining metals.