How to Recycle Water Tanks

If your home's water storage tank suddenly stops working, you will find yourself with several problems on your hands. Although disposing of the old tank may be at the bottom of this list, it's important that you use care when dealing with this problem: As of 2006, more than 20 U.S. states prohibit dumping appliances such as water tanks in landfills, including California and Minnesota. Whether or not landfill dumping is illegal in your state, it's a good idea to consider recycling as an option.

Instructions

• 1

  Call your local recycling center and ask them if they'll take your used tank intact. Depending on the facilities available, your center's staff may be able to collect the tank from your home and break it down themselves.

• 2

  Break your tank down on your own and bring the scrap metal parts to your local recycling center. Or, if your neighborhood has sufficient bin space, deposit the metal there. Even if your recycling center doesn't accept whole tanks, you will certainly be able to recycle stray metal.

• 3

  Contact a water tank supplier, including the one from which you plan to buy your new tank. The company may be willing to pick up or even purchase your old tank, either to sell it refurbished at a later date or use it for spare parts. Even if the company won't accept the tank, a representative may be able to give you further options on what to do with it.

• 4

  Reuse your old tank for a different purpose. If it has a hole you're unable to fill, for example, you can insert a plastic funnel into it, place the tank in your back yard and collect rainwater with it.