Cylinder recycling safety tips

Handle Propane Cylinders Correctly

If your refillable propane cylinder has expired, or is rusted, dented or otherwise damaged, it can no longer be filled. These cylinders must be requalified or disposed of and recycled through the appropriate channels.

Even when you think it is empty, a propane cylinder will still contain some residual propane. Whether you plan to requalify or recycle it, cylinders should always be handled safely and with care.

Check out the the listing for cylinder disposal resources in your province.

Disposal Options

In most parts of Canada, provinces and municipalities make household hazardous waste collection facilities available to businesses and households.

In many cases, gas stations and retailers who sell new cylinders and outlets that refill propane cylinders will take back expired cylinders, particularly if you purchase a new one. However, this is not mandated and is at the discretion of the retailer.

Camping and Single-Use Cylinders

Manufacturers such as Coleman and Bernzomatic distribute one-pound, nonrefillable cylinders for use by campers and tradespeople. While handy, these single-use cylinders cause collection and disposal issues for provincial parks and municipalities.

If you need to use these cylinders, remember the following:

• Never leave them at your campsite or dump them in a park.
• Only dispose of them at parks in designated enclosed collection cages.
• Never place them in household waste or in construction/renovation bins.
• Even if the cylinders have been emptied and depressurized using a special ‘key’, they must still be disposed of through the correct channels – they are still considered hazardous waste.

Expiration Date and Requalification

In Canada, refillable propane cylinders must be replaced or inspected and requalified by a Transport Canada approved requalifier every 10 years. It’s against the law to fill an expired or damaged cylinder. (Note: Select the “External Visual” cylinder requalification method for propane cylinders).
Cylinders are regulated by Transport Canada and bear a TC approved stamp on the collar. Marks are stamped onto the collar of cylinders identifying the original date of manufacture and any subsequent re-testing dates. See the CPA fact sheet on Propane Cylinder Markings for more details.