Smoke alarms

There are two main types of smoke detectors in operation.

1. Photoelectric: Detect visible particles of combustion and contain no radioactive material.
2. Ionisation: Detects invisible particles of combustion and contains a small amount of radioactive material.

There are currently no legal restrictions placed on the disposal of photoelectric smoke detectors. However, the disposal of commercial quantities of ionisation smoke detectors must abide by local and state regulations for radioactive waste.

Smoke alarms contain batteries, removable or embedded (difficult to access). Disposal options include the following and require careful handling:

1. remove batteries for drop off at participating battery recyclers, including Council Waste facilities
2. bring smoke alarms to your local Council waste facility for safe disposal.

Disposal / recycling options

Wheelie bins

• These items cannot be disposed of in your wheelie bins.

Waste facilities

• Bunya waste management facility
• Caboolture waste management facility
• Dakabin waste management facility
• Redcliffe transfer station
• Dayboro transfer station
• Mt Nebo transfer station
• Ningi transfer station
• Samford transfer station
• Toorbul transfer station
• Upper Caboolture transfer station
• Wamuran transfer station
• Woodford transfer station

Notes and conditions

• Disposal at waste facilities is limited to domestic quantities of 10 smoke alarms per visit.