What's The Best Way To Dispose Of An Empty Propane Tank?

If you enjoy cooking on your propane grill during summer — and maybe during spring and autumn, too — you know the importance of keeping the grill safe. If you're a gas griller, one of the main safety concerns is the grill's 20-pound propane tank. Propane is a flammable gas stored in a compressed state as a liquid, meaning the fuel inside the tank is under significant pressure. A malfunctioning tank is a potential fire hazard after outdoor grilling, and could also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or even an explosion.

When making propane tanks, manufacturers must follow stringent regulations. As part of the safeguards, propane tanks have a fixed lifespan, after which you should not be able to continue using them unless they receive a lifespan extension through recertification. Your propane tank's expiration date is stamped on collar. If you have an empty 20-gallon propane tank that's past its expiration date or that you believe is damaged, you should recycle it. However, you should never throw the old tank in your normal recycling bin, and under no circumstances should you consider throwing it out with your household trash — any residual propane left inside could cause a fire or explosion. Instead, you need to use a special propane tank recycler. Fortunately, this is an easier process than it may seem. 

Perhaps the best place to start when trying to recycle your grill's propane tank is to reach out to the retailer where you refill or exchange it after you run out of fuel. Many of these retailers let you recycle the tanks for no charge. For example, one common brand of 20-pound refillable propane tanks, Blue Rhino, will recycle their tanks for free. You can even leave the empty unit next to a display at a Blue Rhino retailer, and the company will recycle it for you. Another well-known 20-pound propane tank brand, AmeriGas, allows you to recycle your old tank through any local AmeriGas retailers that offer exchange services. You can drop off the old unit at the propane exchange or refill locations, or contact AmeriGas for information on how to recycle an old tank.

Some hardware stores, like Ace Hardware, will also accept old propane tanks that you no longer want. Many of these partner with propane companies to provide refill stations, so you can often recycle your old tanks at those stores; Lowe's and Walmart partner with Blue Rhino, for example. Don't worry about trying to exchange an out-of-date tank, as most retailers will accept them and give you a filled unit, as long as it doesn't have major damage. If it does, the retailer will still probably take it for recycling, but they may not let you exchange it. In this case, you might have to buy a new one.

Local recycling centers might be able to accept an old propane tank for disposal. Earth911 maintains a database of locations that accept old propane tanks for disposal and recycling. Some of them are businesses, while others are specialized recycling centers. You can search the database by ZIP Code.

You can also contact your local hazardous waste disposal site about taking the old propane tank for disposal. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) keeps a searchable database of state agencies and hazardous waste programs. Another option would be your local public works department. Some municipalities do not have public works departments, but you can search the local government's website for the appropriate department. If your local municipality has a trash collection department that includes a recycling facility, it might take the old propane tank or tell you how to recycle it. You might also be able to reach out to your local private garbage hauler for information.

As a final option, you can check with a scrap metal recycler. Most scrap metal recyclers won't accept an old propane tank because of the danger of residual gas causing a fire or explosion. If you have no other readily available options, you can try calling a local scrap metal recycler to see if they happen to be one of the few that will take your old tank.