Ionization smoke detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material called Americium-241. Ionization detectors should be returned to the manufacturer for proper disposal. Photoelectric smoke detectors do not contain any radioactive material and may be disposed of in the trash.

Smoke detectors are not accepted at household hazardous waste or electronic collections. Please look on the back of the smoke detector or refer to the manual for manufacture information or below for contact information for mailing.

BRAND NAME  
First Alert
Gentex
Honeywell
Kidde

The US Postal Service offers instructions on USPS Postal Bulletin and also Curie Environmental Services for safely mailing any brand of smoke detector.