Proper Disposal of Propane Cylinders

Propane is a colorless, odorless, flammable gas often used in cooking or heating. Propane cylinders are disposable or refillable. Although you should never discard refillable propane cylinders yourself, you easily can discard disposable propane cylinders properly in your own trash can. Before throwing away the disposable propane cylinder, however, you should take a few precautions to avoid injury to yourself and others.

Instructions

Disposable Propane Cylinders

• 1

  Connect the propane cylinder to an outdoor propane appliance, such as a propane grill. Do not connect or use the propane cylinder indoors. Do this away from open flames or other source that could ignite the gas.

• 2

  Turn on the gas nozzle for your propane appliance and light the burners.

• 3

  Operate the appliance and allow it to use any remaining propane in the propane cylinder. Do not leave the appliance unattended.

• 4

  Shut off the gas nozzle for the propane appliance when the flame fully extinguishes.

• 5

  Disconnect the empty propane cylinder from the appliance.

• 6

  Discard the empty propane cylinder in a trash receptacle outdoors.

Refillable Propane Cylinders

• 7

  Take your empty propane cylinder to a propane filling station in your region. Licensed professionals can refill empty propane cylinders or dispose of them properly for you. Locate a local propane filling station.

• 8

  Trade your empty propane cylinder in for a full propane cylinder at a local retailer that offers a propane tank exchange program. Several large retailers offer propane tank exchange programs.

• 9

  Contact your local household hazardous waste facility. The household hazardous waste facility is a government-sponsored facility that can help you dispose of empty propane cylinders. Locate the household hazardous waste facility in your area.