We recycle fire extinguishers
We understand that the correct handling, storing, emptying, disposing, and recycling of fire extinguishers is a complex operation, with different types of extinguisher all requiring different procedures. For whatever reason fire extinguishers reach the end of life, all can be successfully recycled.
The CheckFire Team recycle between 25,000 – 30,000 fire extinguishers per month. Each element of a unit is recycled and used to support infrastructure overseas. Find out more about our fire extinguishers scrap and recycling service below.
Together with our customers, in 2023 we're proud to have recycled the following:
tonne of fire extinguishers recycled
which is equal to this many Commander 6ltr Foam Fire Extinguishers
tonne of fire extinguisher cardboard packaging recycled
Charged fire extinguishers should never simply be thrown in the bin. Not only is it more responsible to recycle, doing so comes with a multitude of benefits.
PROTECTION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Fire extinguishers are pressurised containers that are potentially dangerous when crushed. Recycling fire extinguishers helps keep the planet safer, helping to reduce carbon emissions, reducing global warming, and pollution. This is crucial for protecting ecosystems and wildlife, which can be harmed by chemicals inside units being disposed into open drains or waterways.
PROTECTION FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
As well as an environmental hazard, improperly disposing of fire extinguishers (particularly in an enclosed space) can put an individual’s health at risk, as well as people closeby. For example, CO2 fire extinguishers are extremely cold when dispensed, while powder units can cause mild eye irritation. Disposal should be handled by a professional facility, such as CheckFire.
PROTECTION FOR THE ORGANISATION
As fire extinguishers get older, the cost of maintaining and repairing them can increase costs and chances of not being legally compliant. With low-cost fire extinguishers for trade customers, buying a new high-performance unit and recycling an old one can make more financial sense.
PEACE OF MIND & SAVES TIME
Knowing how to dispose of fire extinguishers safely can be puzzling. And with such careful measures that need to be taken, and it’s a lot easier to let a professional handle it. Our approved recycling centre will ensure total compliance to strict regulations, while giving peace of mind that no damage is done to the planet.
If a fire extinguisher is deemed unusable, obsolete or beyond repair during a fire risk assessment, follow these three simple steps to start recycling with us. For more information, contact us to learn more.
There is the option to either arrange a collection of your scrap using our courier service or, should you be local, you can drop-off to our Recycling Centre. Please contact the Customer Care Team who would be more than happy to help with booking you in.
To ensure safety at all times, we ask for your support in adhering to a short list of measures when using our recycling service, of which you will find here.
All scrap fire extinguishers are then worked through our Recycling Centre where a Waste Transfer Note (WTN) is created for customer records. Materials are then collected by our fully licensed scrap-shredder partner for their onward journey.
Find us here
CheckFire Ltd – Fire Extinguisher Recycling Unit 10B, Pontygwindy Industrial Estate Caerphilly CF83 3HU
If you’re local to the area, your can drop off your scrap fire extinguishers to the team at our designated fire extinguisher recycling facility after booking in with our Customer Care Team.
Types of fire extinguishers we collect
Most standard fire extinguishers can be safely recycled, especially if they have a steel body. We take all kinds of fire extinguishers to recycle, including:
If you’re in the trade and want to learn more about how to become a CheckFire customer, visit our dedicated Trade Customer page for more information.