Question reference: S6W-04276
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 8 November 2021
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 23 November 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how many smoke alarms will be disposed of as a result of the new interlinking fire alarm legislation, and what guidance it is giving to local authorities on how to advise people on the best way to dispose of old smoke alarms safely once the law comes into force.
Answer
We have not made a formal assessment of how many fire and smoke alarms will be disposed of as a result of the new regulations coming into force in February next year. Fire and smoke alarms are classed as small electrical equipment items and most are suitable for recycling. We encourage people to either return alarms to the retailer or take them to their local authority recycling centres as they already would do together with other items for recycling.
It is possible that awareness of the new standard, which includes the need to replace alarms that are more than ten years old, may lead to an increased number of expired alarms being recycled over the coming months.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) previously published advice on the Management of end-of-life smoke detectors, including advice for businesses and households on safe disposal and promoting the environmentally sound management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) devices.
I am aware of ongoing discussions between industry and Scottish local authorities regarding recycling options of end-of-life smoke alarms as part of Household Waste Recycling Centre provision.
SEPA continue to engage with the WEEE sector and other UK Environment Agencies.