There are many kinds of gas that we regularly use in our daily lives – from patio gas to helium; it’s all around us! After you’re finished with the helium you were using to blow up balloons for a birthday party, or the propane gas from your last family barbeque, you’ll be left with a bulky, empty canister. It is essential to understand the different options available to you when considering your used gas canisters’ safe disposal and when to return canisters to your bottled gas suppliers.

Gas canisters cannot and should not be disposed of in your household general waste or recycling – so what are you supposed to do with them? Today, we will look at how gas canisters can be refilled appropriately or recycled through bottled gas suppliers.

When Should I Get Rid of My Gas Bottle?

Your canister will have reached the end of its (current) life once it is either empty, you no longer require the gas anymore, or in rare cases, if the canister is faulty – for example, if it is leaking gas, you should dispose of it.

Why Can’t I Put My Gas Bottle In The Bin?

Gas canisters are classed as hazardous waste and need to be disposed of carefully – or better yet, refilled or recycled. Gas canisters are pressurised and may still contain traces of gas even if you think they’re empty. Improper disposal could lead to an explosion or a fire if the canister were crushed by industrial equipment at a waste processing facility. This is particularly dangerous in places like recycling plants, where there is likely to be an abundance of paper and flammable material.

Can I Recycle My Gas Bottle?

Disposable gas canisters can be recycled, but it’s a delicate job that should be carried out through the correct means. You can take disposable canister’s directly to your local recycling centre; however, each recycling centre will have its own policies on whether they accept gas canisters. They may reject canisters that are entirely or partially full.

In many cases, you will find that the supplier of the canister is happy to accept the empty bottle back at no charge since they can refurbish and repurpose the cylinders for future use. Many canisters will have the manufacturers name and number printed on the side, which you can call to arrange a collection.

Once the canister is back in the hands of someone who knows how to handle it responsibly, any remaining gas inside can be recovered and compressed for reuse. The valve on top of the canister will be removed and either recycled or reused depending on its condition. The body of the canister will usually be made of aluminium or steel, both of which are widely recycled metals.

Whilst recycling gas canisters through the above methods is undoubtedly safer and more ecological than throwing them in the bin – it does come with its downsides. The transport of the canister, the dismantling and recycling of the materials all costs time and money.

Can My Gas Bottle Be Refilled?

Yes! Many gas canisters in circulation today are designed to be refilled again and again. Refilling is generally the most economical, environmentally friendly, and sustainable solution. It negates the need to purchase and then dispose of a new gas canister every time you need gas. Refilling gas canisters keep the bottles in circulation. If you’re using a trusted gas supplier like Bottle Gases, it ensures that the canisters are regularly passed through the hands of professionals who know how to spot faults and handle the equipment correctly.

When purchasing gas from trusted suppliers, you are often expected to return the bottle once you are finished with them. Think of it like this, you’re buying the gas inside the bottle, but you’re only renting the bottle itself from the supplier.

With many gas canister suppliers, you will find that the canister remains the supplier’s property even when it’s in your hands. It is illegal to dispose of the gas canister yourself in many circumstances, including attempting to recycle or sell used canisters for scrap metal. When deciding what to do with your used gas canisters, it is best practice to check with your supplier and follow their instructions.

At Bottle Gases, we offer a gas refill service that completely removes the need for you to dispose of, or recycle, your empty gas canisters. We work on a rental system – so the reusable canisters are owned, maintained, and regularly tested by us and then rented to the customer through a refundable deposit. Once your canister is empty, you can choose to have a refill delivered as a replacement or return the empty canister to us, and we’ll refund your deposit.

Sending used gas canisters back to trusted bottled gas suppliers is the safest and most eco-friendly solution to dispose of them. In the hands of the supplier, the canisters can be recycled, repurposed, or refilled. If you would like to learn more about refillable gas, you can trust Bottled Gases to give you honest and reliable advice on all gas-related queries.