Recycling gas cylinders is an important but often dangerous job. It’s not enough to leave your gas cylinder in your general waste in case there is any leftover gas that could cause an accident. You need to think carefully about the right way to dispose of your unwanted cylinders, and we can help you with this blog.
NOT IN THE BIN
It can be very dangerous to put your unwanted gas canister in normal waste disposal, because they are pressurised, which could lead to an explosion if crushed. There’s a new story every year about some unsuspecting family losing a loved-one due to improper disposal of their gas cylinders, so it’s important that these items are recognised for the potential danger they represent.
WHEN SHOULD I DISPOSE OF MY CYLINDER?
You will want to dispose of your cylinder if it’s empty or you no longer need any gas. If your cylinder is showing faults, such as leakage from the canister or valve, you should also consider getting rid of it. Some gas leakages can be more harmful to the environment than others, but it is important that all leakages are taken very seriously.
RECYCLE
Your gas canister is likely made from either aluminium or steel which are two of the most highly recycled metals in the recycling industry. However, recycling companies may have reservations about receiving empty gas cylinders.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Because gases are marked as dangerous goods they have to go through various strict regulations in their sale, transportation and disposal. Even if you think your canister is empty, you can’t be sure that the pressure guage isn’t broken or inaccurate. Consequently, recycling companies may not want to take your empty cylinders.
WHAT NEXT?
This doesn’t mean that your cylinders shouldn’t be recycled; aluminium and steel are important metals for recyclers. We should therefore avoid its waste as much as possible. Here’s a checklist to get your canister ready:
1 – Check your canister; is it suitable for recycling? If yes, then check your local regulations to be sure.
2 – We know gas can be dangerous because it is combustible. Because of this, it is extremely important that your canister is completely empty before recycling it. You can check if a canister is empty by rocking the cylinder; if you feel liquid movement within the cylinder, then you know it isn’t empty.
To be sure, it is recommended that you drill a hole in the container. Some recycling companies even require empty canisters to be cut in half.
Always take the appropriate safety precautions when dealing with dangerous products. Use safety goggles and work outdoors or under a fume hood, if available.
3 – Another aspect that makes a canister dangerous is the valve, which signals that the bottle is pressurised. In order to get your canister ready for recycling, you may be asked to remove the valve. You will need a special tool to do this safely, and it can be very difficult, which is why in most situations you should see if your supplier will take the canister back.
ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS
At Adams Gas, we put heavy emphasis on environmentally friendly practices. As such, we like to sell refills. This is far better than disposing of a canister every time you need gas, but what do you do if you’re gas requirements drop and you need fewer bottles? The British Compressed Gas Association asks that you return empty or finished cylinders to bottled gas suppliers for further use or safe and efficient recycling.
If you buy helium canisters from us, your gas may be stored in a disposable gas cylinder. Once you’re finished with your cylinder, we ask that you return it to our company for its safe disposal. You can always trust Adams Gas to take care of your unwanted gas products, and you can also trust us to give you the best advice on any of your gas-related queries.
