How to recycle/dispose of fire extinguishers

Curbside collection: No
County facilities accepting fire extinguishers:
Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events
Shady Grove Processing Facility & Transfer Station

Aerosol type:

Dispose of aerosol-type fire extinguishers in your normal household trash.

Cylinder type:

If you are a resident: You may bring fire extinguishers to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station during normal operating hours. Sorry, we cannot accept fire extinguishers from businesses.

If you have a household “B-C” type fire extinguisher no greater than 18 inches long, and cannot come to the Transfer Station:

Place the extinguisher into two heavy duty plastic trash bags.
Outdoors, lay the bag with the extinguisher flat on level ground.
Fold the tops of the bags closed and with one foot, step on the fold.
With a free hand, find the extinguisher's release lever from outside the bags. Gently squeeze and slowly release its contents.
Knot or tie the bags closed and place them into your regular household trash.

Fire extinguishers are also accepted at Household Hazardous Waste collection sites.

"How to recycle/dispose of..." Index

This information last updated 4/10/2013.

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Last edited: 11/8/2010