Many of us enjoy camping, backpacking, etc. during the summer and find the use the small fuel canisters helpful when cooking meals. But what do we do when we are finished with them?
They can NOT go into the trash and can NOT go into your recycle bin!
Why? That's a good question!
Even though the canisters may seem empty, they can still contain explosive gas. Garbage and recyclables are tossed, tumbled, and compressed when collected from our curbside carts. These processes can easily rupture a cylinder and cause a fire or explosion. Fires at a waste or recycling facility and in collection vehicles are dangerous for workers and the public. This can also drive up the costs of processing waste.
So, what do we do?
There are drop-off locations that take these cylinders and see to it that they are safely and properly managed. In this process, the canisters get purged with nitrogen to remove the propane. The reclaimed propane is then sold. The steel gets canister itself, gets compacted and recycled.
The outlets that accept these canisters are the Household Hazardous Waste Facilities as well as Flat Can Recycling. Links to each site are below. Be sure to call first to check on collection and if there are any nominal fees that may be involved!
Chicago Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility
Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Rockford Rock River Reclamation District