How Do You Dispose of a Fire Extinguisher?

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says all fire extinguishers are under pressure and should not be put in the regular trash. It says some communities accept fire extinguishers at the town transfer station or local fire department, while others collect them at household hazardous waste collection events.

The type matters. Connecticut says water filled and carbon dioxide filled extinguishers are inert and not harmful, while the dry chemical variety can cause irritation, so extra care should be taken with those units. It says many current units are rechargeable, and for a small fee you can have your fire extinguisher emptied, checked and refilled.

Halon extinguishers have their own federal rules. The EPA says production and import of new halons were phased out in the United States on January 1, 1994, and that since then recycled halons have been the only US supply of halons for specialty fire suppression. It says its regulations prohibit venting halons during testing, maintenance, servicing, repair or disposal of halon-containing equipment. Under 40 CFR 82.270, no person may dispose of halon-containing equipment except by sending it for halon recovery to a manufacturer, fire equipment dealer or recycler operating in accordance with NFPA 10 and NFPA 12A standards.