Released on July 27, 2021, 5:01 PM EST
You may think that your fire extinguisher is more of a decorative industrial element than an actual safety precaution, which is not necessarily a bad thing. If you are lucky, you will never have a reason to use it.
However, if you unfortunately need it, you may find yourself wondering what to do with an old fire extinguisher. The good news is that the recycling and charging process is not overly complicated.
Because they are full of high-voltage hazardous materials, fire extinguishers cannot be thrown away with ordinary trash, or even put into roadside recycling bins without confirmation. Old fire extinguishers can be recycled or recharged for reuse, but only if certain conditions are met.
If you have used a fire extinguisher at home, please do the following:
According to the San Mateo United Fire Department, the first step in discarding a used fire extinguisher is to determine how much content is left in the container. The pressure gauge on the side of the canister usually indicates whether the canister is charged, overcharged, or empty.
If the tank has any remaining pressure or contents, you need to release it. You can do this by spraying a small amount of liquid into the open area and letting the jar sit for a few days until all excess pressure is released. As for how to deal with it in the future, it depends on the situation.
Even if you are relatively sure that you have removed all the pressure and contents from the tank, you do not want to throw them away with the trash under any circumstances. You don't want them to explode as soon as they enter a hot garbage truck.
Fortunately, many of the components that make up a fire extinguisher are actually recyclable. According to First Alert, the outside of the tank is made of aluminum, and the valve itself is usually made of steel or plastic. Many municipal programs accept empty fire extinguishers, but rarely pass roadside recycling programs.
Most municipal plans will insist that you take the cans to a specific location or turn them in at a scheduled hazardous waste incident or collection location in your area. To find out which dates and locations coincide with the hazardous waste collection time, please contact your local public works department. They will be able to introduce you to all recommended recycling methods. Please note that according to Earth911, the disposal of commercial fire extinguishers sometimes requires a disposal fee.
According to Earth911, not all used fire extinguishers are completely useless. Loss of stress may just mean that it needs to be recharged, and some local fire departments will even charge you for free. However, in some cases, not only does the tank need to be charged, but the department will advise you to find a professional. If it fails, you will need a new one.
Even unused fire extinguishers need to be replaced from time to time. According to First Alert, fire extinguishers with wobbled or damaged handles, broken hoses, or unsealed locking pin mechanisms on valves should be replaced. The same is true for any fire extinguisher that has not checked the label or tag, is decompressed or has expired.
According to Guardian Fire Protection, most fire extinguishers have no real expiration date. In contrast, most experts rely on a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years to replace traditional fire extinguishers. Any fire extinguisher older than this should be recycled and replaced. On the other hand, rechargeable fire extinguishers should be inspected and recharged at least every 10 years.
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