Fire extinguishers
You can take fire extinguishers from your home to a Community Recycling Centre, or a Chemical CleanOut. Please do not put them in any of your bins at home as they may explode if they are crushed. You can contact the company that you purchased the fire extinguisher from, they will usually take it back so that they can refill it for reuse.
In commercial premises, extinguishers usually need to be replaced after five years. To check if yours need replacing, check the date (not too old), gauge (not out of pressure) and that pins are in (not used, empty or partially empty). Replace if rusty.
The steel is fully recyclable. Some extinguishers can be refilled at a fire equipment business, but this may cost more than a replacement extinguisher.
Recycle fire extinguishers for free at:
BCF/Halon all yellow fire extinguishers
If you have any BCF/Halon fire extinguishers (the extinguisher is all yellow in colour), please hand these in to the NSW Fire Brigade. Do not use this extinguisher, as it contains chemicals that damage the ozone layer. Hand the all-yellow BCF/Halon extinguishers in for free to:
NSW Fire Brigade stations (Arcadia Vale, Belmont, Cardiff, Holmesville, Morisset, Swansea, Teralba, Tingira Heights, Toronto) - free
Prevent waste
Dry Chemical Powder (ABE) fire extinguishers (red with a white band or label) should be turned upside down and shaken for 10 minutes every six months to ensure that the powder is free flowing when needed on a fire.