Guide for Reuse, Repair, Recycling, and Safe Disposal
for Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and the City of Palo Alto

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Compressed Gas Cylinders - Refillable

Refillable compressed gas or fuel cylinders most often contains propane, a flammable gas used for heating and cooking and have a special valve for professional refueling.

Household Hazardous Waste

This item should never be put in a curbside bin. For more information visit our household hazardous waste page.

Damaged or empty propane tanks and cylinders are hazardous waste and should never be put in the garbage or recycling as they could become punctured during the collection process and cause a fire or injury.

Empty, good condition tanks can be exchanged or refilled where you got it (e.g. 1lb or 5-20lb propane cylinders, SodaStream gas cylinders) or have the supplier come pick it up. Look for a label to contact and return an unwanted cylinder to. Old, rusty or unknown cylinders may be taken to a scrap metal company once they have been completely emptied with the valves safely removed. Companies that specialize in gas cylinders may offer this service.

Vendors

Vendor Address City Destination Disposal Method Notes
Dale Hardware 3700 Thornton Ave. Fremont Reuse Drop-off for a Fee Propane Tank Refilling. Barbecues, RV propane tanks, outdoor heaters – we refill it for you while you wait, no minimum amount required. Replacement tanks available.
Cylinder Recyclers 4355 Sunshine Rd Georgetown Recycle Pick-up for a Fee Commercial generators. Does not service residences. Propane & refrigerant, medical cylinders, nitrogen cylinders, acetylene cylinders
U-Haul Hayward 529 Jackson St Hayward Reuse Drop-off for a Fee Sells empty or full cylinders and refills cylinders, including reusable 1 lb cylinders
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Hayward Facility) 2091 West Winton Avenue Hayward Recycle Free Drop-off The Alameda County Hazardous Waste facilities cannot accept compressed gas cylinders other than propane, and only 5 gallons or less in volume.
Kamps Propane 3664 Depot Road Hayward Reuse Free Drop-off, Pick-up for a Fee Sells full cylinders and exchanges cylinders, including reusable 1 lb propane cylinders
Airgas Store (Hayward) 30131 Industrial Pkwy SW Hayward Recycle Drop-off for a Fee Call for details.
Repurposed Materials 10220 Brighton Rd
Unit 7
Henderson Reuse Buyback Mail-in Commercial volume. propane tanks
Home Depot 1625 Sycamore Ave. Hercules Reuse Free Drop-off Propane refills
Blue Rhino One Liberty Plaza Liberty Reuse Drop-off for a Fee
Airgas Store (Livermore) 800 Greenville Rd Livermore Recycle Pick-up for a Fee unusual shapes & sizes
U-Haul Livermore 3429 Gardella Plaza Livermore Reuse Drop-off for a Fee Sells empty or full cylinders and refills cylinders, including reusable 1 lb cylinders
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Livermore Facility) 5584 La Ribera Street Livermore Recycle Free Drop-off The Alameda County Hazardous Waste facilities cannot accept compressed gas cylinders other than propane, and only 5 gallons or less in volume.
Bill's Ace Hardware 3610 Pacheco Blvd. Martinez Recycle Drop-off for a Fee Soda Stream canister exchange - all sizes
Central Contra Costa HHW Collection Facility 4797 Imhoff Pl. Martinez Recycle Free Drop-off Propane only. Five gallons or less.
Re-Up Refills 6025 College Ave Oakland Reuse Free Drop-off Free drop off of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) cartridges, like Soda Stream, Drink Mate. They stock and thus, give deposits for DrinkMate cartridges.
Soda Stream Exchange and Recycling Locator Store Drop-off option : Bed Bath & Beyond
590 2nd St
Oakland Reuse Free Drop-off, Mail-in for a Fee See Store Locator webside for drop-off locations and mail-in exchange program.
Chevron Oakland (Hegenberger) 451 Hegenberger Oakland Reuse Drop-off for a Fee Refills empty cylinders, including reusable 1 lb cylinders
Cole Hardware (Rockridge) 5533 College Ave Oakland Reuse Free Drop-off Propane exchange. Does not accept single use small propane canisters. Small camp
Laurel Ace Hardware 4024 MacArthur Ave. Oakland Reuse Drop-off for a Fee Propane exchange or refill.
MLK Smog Shop 5509 Martin Luther King Jr Way Oakland Reuse Drop-off for a Fee Refills reusable 1 lb propane cylinders

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