By Recycle BC
As many British Columbians enjoyed a long weekend of camping and barbecues, they may soon have empty or partially-used gas canisters left over and questions about how to dispose of them.
Unfortunately, improperly disposing of these materials by putting them in the recycling bin creates a serious fire risk. The most common types are reusable propane tanks and disposable propane canisters. Other examples include butane cartridges, helium balloon tanks and oxygen tanks used for home health.
Compressed gases are unstable, and slight changes in temperature or pressure can cause them to explode. That’s why Recycle BC, the non-profit organization that is responsible for residential recycling in municipalities throughout the province, is providing information and tips to make disposal of gas canisters easy and safe.
Recycle BC tips for gas canister disposal:
1. Don’t put gas canisters in the recycling bin. – Compressed gas cylinders are dangerous when included with curbside, multi-family building or depot recycling. These canisters pose a risk to worker safety, as they may explode and catch fire during transportation or processing. Also, compressed gases can be toxic or corrosive, so special handling is required.
2. Take gas canisters to the appropriate depot. – The Recycling Council of British Columbia’s Recyclepedia allows you to search for a nearby depot by selecting which item you need to recycle, and where you live. You can also call their recycling hotline at 1-800- 667-4321, or email hotline@rcbc. ca.
3. Download the app. Recycle BC’s free recycling app allows you to find out which recyclable material goes where. It’s available for both