Compressed Gas Cylinders
Compressed gas cylinders come in a
variety of shapes and sizes. Pressurized and compressed gas
cylinders should never be placed in the trash.
Propane
The most common compressed gas most
of us use is propane. These cylinders include the 20 pound
cylinders for BBQ grilles and the 1 pound cylinders used for
camping.
Using propane is
generally safe as long as you follow recommended handling practices
and common sense. However, putting cylinders in the
trash is a dangerous and potentially disastrous idea.
Because of the way garbage is handled, transported, and processed
gas cylinders of any kind are potentially
explosive when they are
disposed in the trash. Propane and flammable gas cylinders are
especially dangerous when mishandled and have caused injuries and
deaths.
For more information on
the safe usage and disposal of propane gas cylinders click on the
following links.
Propane Gas Grill Safety Tips from the National Propane Gas
Association
LPG
Citizens Guide developed by the Pollution Prevention Coalition
of Palm Beach County.
Note: Free software needed to view or download this
document.
Other Compressed Gases
Aerosol cans are also pressurized cylinders. In
addition to containing flammable propellant they often contain toxic
materials. Empty, depressurized cans may be placed in the trash if
necessary.
Refrigerant or "Freon" cylinders are used mainly by
licensed automotive, residential, and commercial air conditioning companies.
However, smaller one pound containers are also available for retail sale.
It is a violation of Federal Law to purposely release ozone depleting
refrigerants into the atmosphere.
Helium tanks for filling balloons are also becoming
increasingly popular. Although helium is not flammable the pressurized
cylinder still presents a physical hazard.
Households may use the dedicated cylinder drop-off areas at
SWA transfer stations or bring unwanted cylinders to the HHW Facility.
The SWA's
HHW
drop-off locations provide convenient locations for individuals to
discard unwanted cylinders and all of their household hazardous wastes.
Commercial Cylinder Disposal
The SWA will accept only empty containers for disposal (not
the gas). Empty cylinders from commercial sources are accepted only at
the
SWA's North County Disposal Site on N. Jog Road in West Palm Beach and
may not be delivered to the transfer stations.
Some scrap yards and metal recyclers may also accept empty
cylinders.
Cylinders must have the valves removed and the cylinder open
to the atmosphere. Sealed cylinders will not be accepted.
Generators of the waste are expected to comply will all applicable
environmental laws covering the disposition of the containers' contents.
Commercial entities should contact SWA Hazardous Waste
Services at (561) 687-1100 to schedule delivery. All cylinders will
be inspected.
The Solid Waste Authority will not accept any load of refuse
containing commercial quantities of gas cylinders. Mixed loads
containing commercial cylinders will be refused.
