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Fire Extinguishers

Contact product manufacturer to see if there is a recycling program in effect. Fire extinguishers are under pressure, and have the potential to explode in combination with some materials. They cannot be discarded curbside and are not accepted at Household Chemical Waste collections.

Earth911 suggests disposing of fire extinguishers as follows:

If it’s not empty:

  1. Check pressure gauge: The extinguisher should have a gauge saying whether it’s overcharged, at the correct pressure or in need of a recharge.

  2. Call Your fire department: You might be able to exchange your extinguisher or get it recharged.

  3. Take it to a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event: Extinguishers with contents remaining are considered hazardous, so find your nearest HHW collection event or program.

If it’s empty:

  1. Squeeze the lever above the handle, ensuring that all contents are discharged.

  2. Remove the head: This will let whoever disposes of the extinguisher know that all contents have been removed.

  3. Recycle the steel body: Once the head is removed, your community should accept fire extinguishers with the rest of your ferrous metal.

In either case, make sure to follow any instructions on the fire extinguisher.


The following are a few recycling options for fire extinguishers:

Aurora Tri-State Fire Protection
1080 Corporate Blvd, Aurora
(630) 978-0600
auroratristate.com
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm


Chicago's permanent Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility
1150 N Branch St, Chicago
Operated by the City of Chicago and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).  Call (312) 744-7606 for more information.
cityofchicago.org
Tuesdays: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thursdays: 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
1st Saturday of month: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Residential waste only (no business/commercial sector waste)
Accepts small fire extinguishers, small non-refillable cylinders (NCRs) and propane tanks for BBQ grills. This facility accepts many additional items for recycling. See site for details.


Cintas
1870 Brummel, Elk Grove Village
(847) 228-3970
cintas.com/Fire-Protection-Services
Recharges fire extinguishers, which may also be dropped off for disposal.


Dependable Fire Equipment Inc.
60 Lebaron, Waukegan
(847) 541-2080

Henrichsen’s Fire & Safety  Equipment Company
563 N Wolf Rd., Wheeling
(847) 459-7877
henrichsensfire.com
Recharges and maintains fire extinguishers, which may also be dropped off for disposal.


Reliable Fire Equipment Company
12845 S Cicero, Alsip
(708) 597-4600
reliablefire.com
Recharges and maintains fire extinguishers, which may also be dropped off for disposal.


U.S. Fire & Safety Equipment Company
6572 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago
(773) 763-4422
usfiresafetyco.com/
Recharges fire extinguishers, which may also be dropped off for disposal.


Check details for these fire extinguisher programs.

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This information is not an endorsement of any company, product, or service.