- Editor’s note: Kane County Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Jarland is a terrific natural resource in Kane County. Jarland is a board member of the Illinois Recycling Association and a founding member of the Illinois Food Scrap Coalition, in addition to directing the county’s popular recycling events and a few of the most-read pages on the Kane County website.
- (SIDE NOTE TO THE LOCAL MEDIA: This piece may be recycled.)
Jennifer Says …
This time of year, I get a lot of calls from folks who want to know how to recycle propane tanks. Many of them feature the chasing arrows recycling sign on the bottom, as you may have observed. But that doesn’t mean you can dump them in the blue bin with your household recycling!
They are recyclable, but because they are pressurized gas cylinders, they must be transported to a facility that can securely de-valve them before the metal can be recycled.
Safety first
Never throw a propane tank or other compressed gas cylinder in the garbage or recycle bin.
Do not attempt to puncture or remove the valve from the tank.
Even if a tank can no longer maintain a flame, there is still enough flammable gas inside to trigger an explosion. This is a problem with both types of propane tanks:
- Backyard grills are usually powered by refillable tanks.
- Tanks that cannot be refilled and are designed to be used with camping stoves, lamps, and torches.
Reuse Tips
When possible, use refillable propane tanks. Always store and utilize propane tanks according to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damage and safeguard your property, investment, and the environment.
Recycling & Disposal Information
To avoid an explosion, use up all of your fuel before dumping of your tank. Simply connect it to the grill or other equipment it was designed to work with, switch it on, and fire the flame. Allow it to burn until it is completely gone, then transport it to one of the following locations:
The Crusher, 651 W Washington St, West Chicago, IL 60185, 630-231-6888, accepts small, camp-sized propane cylinders and bigger tanks, full or empty.
The Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 156 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville, IL 60540, accepts only grill-sized propane tanks, full or empty. Small camp-sized tanks are not accepted in Naperville.
What do you do with 16-ounce propane tanks that are empty?
Campers are well-known for their propane tanks. It’s the preferred fuel for cooking, heating, and lighting among campers, and it can even be used as a substitute for a campfire. On our journeys, the majority of us have used the little 16.4 oz green color Coleman propane tank. They add to our camping garbage and must be recycled after use, as lovely as they are. An estimated 40 million propane cylinders are sold in the United States each year. This raises an essential question: how should small propane tanks and cylinders be disposed of after they are empty?
There are five options for getting rid of small propane tanks that are used or empty:
- They can be exchanged at a variety of stores, including Home Depot, Lowes, and Blue Rhino.
- Recycle them at a community solid trash transfer center in your area.
- If local regulations allow, toss them in the garbage for solid waste department vehicle recycling.
- Fill them up and reuse them (but do not transport them across state lines).
- Craigslist is a great place to sell your secondhand propane tank.
What can I do with propane bottles weighing 1 pound?
Contact the supplier or visit a local household hazardous trash collection site. AmeriGas will assist you with recycling bigger grill-style tanks at no cost to you. Many local household hazardous waste disposal events accept 1 pound containers.
What is the best way to get rid of a tiny gas cylinder?
Puncture them, then fill them with water to make sure the gas is gone (do this outside!). as if they were food cans, and recycle them as such. You can do this more easily with “can opener” style gadgets. Or, as I’m sure the vast majority of people do, simply throw them away.
Is it possible to refill Coleman propane tanks?
Camping with Coleman propane gas canisters is a great idea. They’re used to power portable propane camping lamps and outdoor cooktops. While these canisters are typically thrown away once they’ve been emptied, they can be refilled with a 20-pound propane tank.
How do you know when a 1 pound propane tank is empty?
Some individuals prefer to use a propane tank weight chart to see if their tank is empty, although this isn’t always correct.
So, how much does a propane tank weigh when it’s empty? Take a look at the tare weight stamped on the propane tank’s collar/handle.
That is the only accurate way to determine the empty weight of that exact tank.
When you place a propane tank on a scale and the reading equals the tare weight stamped on the collar/handle, you know it’s empty.
If your propane tank isn’t empty, you’ll want to know how to check its level.
Is it possible to refill 16-ounce propane bottles?
The Flame King 1 pound (16.4 ounce) refillable propane cylinder is compatible with all non-refillable propane tanks. This propane container is refillable and transportable in the same way that your BBQ tank is.
Is it possible to refill 1 pound propane tanks?
The US Department of Transportation advises the public not to refill DOT 39 cylinders, such as the 1 pound camping cylinders. These containers were not made to resist the stress of being emptied and refilled.
1 pound Propane Bottles (DOT-39 Cylinders) should never be refilled:
Never refill DOT 39 cylinders, which are 1 pound cylinders used for camping, according to the public. DOT 39 cylinders, regardless of size, are not refillable. There have been Hazmat incidents involving refilled DOT 39 cylinders, including one fatality.
What do you do with old gas canisters from camping?
A camping trip would be incomplete without some gas to prepare your favorite foods. But, once you’ve used up your little camping propane canister, what should you do with it? Can you recycle it and dispose of it ethically and safely?
1.Connect the little canister to your stove or lantern, then fire it and let it burn off any remaining gas (some older camping propane canisters also have keys to release leftover gas).
2.Remove the canister from the device and mark it “empty” to remind yourself or others that it is safe to handle and dispose of.
3.Contact your local recycling center to determine if propane gas canisters are accepted. Some camping stores may also have a recycling program.
4.If no recycling or safe disposal options are available, place the empty canister in a bag and wait for a safe drop-off location near you.
Please note that this advise only applies to tiny and portable camping propane gas canisters, not large propane tanks, which are strictly regulated when it comes to disposal.
Is it possible to recycle small gas canisters?
If you take your gas bottles to your local household waste center, they can usually be recycled. Your gas bottles will be emptied, the valve will be removed, and the valve will be recycled separately. After that, metal gas canisters are recycled at a standard metal recycling factory.
Use this tool to see if your local recycling center charges you to dispose of non-household waste.
What can you do with a gas bottle that has been emptied?
The first thing you should do if you have empty gas bottles is try to return them to the provider. Many local governments will take gas bottles at a local recycling center if this isn’t possible. Before you travel, double-check that you may leave your empty gas bottles at the recycling center because they require special storage. Some recycling firms will pick up gas bottles depending on what they contain, so read the warning warnings and carefully follow the disposal instructions.