How to dispose empty disposable propane tanks in Brooklyn?

August 4, 2013 8:59 AM

In Brooklyn, what's the proper way to get rid of empty propane canisters from a small grill?

This sort of thing: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Propane-Fuel-16.4-oz/20923696

I called 311, but they didn't understand what they were and told me to have the refilled (they're not refillable). I contacted Liberty Gas, but they don't take them.

Can I put them in the trash?

posted by miniape to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Best answer: Sounds like you just got a bad operator there. Via 311: " Used tanks should be exchanged when buying a new tank, or brought in to a hardware store or propane dealer for reuse or recycling. Scrap metal dealers may also accept used tanks for recycling."

Not sure what your transportation situation is, but you can bring them to Home Depot or Lowe's for disposal.
posted by greenland at 9:11 AM on August 4, 2013

from a coleman pdf (on page two)


Unfortunately, residential recycling programs for propane cylinders are not yet
available in many areas. If a propane cylinder recycling program is not yet offered
by your local steel recycler, below are instructions to properly dispose of an
EMPTY 16.4 oz. propane cylinder.
CAUTION: Read and follow instructions and warning on the propane cylinder
before disposal to avoid serious injury or death!

To properly dispose of an EMPTY 16.4 oz. propane cylinder:
 Take the EMPTY cylinder outdoors away from any open flame or ignition
source as they can ignite leaking gas.
 Attach the EMPTY cylinder to an appliance.
 In an outdoor, well-ventilated area, open the control valve on the appliance
and light the burner(s).
 Operate the appliance until the flame completely extinguishes.
 Turn the appliance control valve off and let appliance cool.
 Detach the EMPTY cylinder.
 Dispose of the EMPTY cylinder in an OUTDOOR trash container for the next normal trash
collection.

posted by HFSH at 9:16 AM on August 4, 2013

So yes, if it's really empty, you should be able to put it in the trash.
posted by HFSH at 9:20 AM on August 4, 2013

I know Gracious Home will take them and "dispose of them properly" (not sure what they actually do, but this is what they say). A similar store in Brooklyn that sells them will possibly take back the empties as well.
posted by melissasaurus at 9:26 AM on August 4, 2013

You could also refill them with this:
Mr Heater 1lb refill adapter
posted by PSB at 11:21 AM on August 4, 2013

I use one of these a week for my marine stove, and cannot bear to throw mild steel into the landfill.

Coleman used to provide a little green venting tool, but I haven't seen them, even in my outdoorsy city.

I made an extra-long valve removal tool that lets me remove both the main and safety valves (both are extra-long Schraeder valves, like on a bicycle or car tire). I remove the label, write "EMPTY" and "VENTED" on both sides of the cylinder with a marker, and put them into my recycling dumpster.

Venting the cannister is overkill for most folks, so I recommend following the advice of emptying them as much as is practical and putting them into the ordinary garbage.
posted by Kakkerlak at 12:02 PM on August 4, 2013

Response by poster: To follow up, you can drop them off near the propane at the Lowes at Smith and 9th. The propane people take them away.
posted by miniape at 4:53 AM on August 13, 2013