Household Hazardous Waste
This item should never be put in a curbside bin. For more information visit our household hazardous waste page.
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.
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 as it is not considered hazardous waste. Look for a shoulder label to contact and return an unwanted cylinder to that company. Old, rusty or unknown empty 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 (e.g, AirGas). For DTSC detailed information on handling empty cylinders (then considered waste), see this link. Click here for more information on propane tank recycling.
Vendors
| Vendor | Address | City | Destination | Disposal Method | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Oakland Facility) | 2100 East 7th Street | Oakland | 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. | |
| ALCO Iron & Metal (San Leandro) |
2140 Davis Street Headquarters & Metal Sales |
San Leandro | Repair | Free Drop-off, Buyback Drop-off | Call for details regarding valves off, empty, holes drilled, etc. Designated spot for empty cylinders. | |
| Allied Propane Service | 5000 Seaport Ave. | Richmond | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Refills Propane | |
| AmeriGas Propane Exchange Locations | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Find propane tank drop off (free), exchange (fee), cylinder refill (fee), and local office locations near you. | |||
| Berkeley Transfer Station | 1201 2nd St. | Berkeley | Recycle | Drop-off for a Fee | ||
| Bill's Ace Hardware | 4451 Clayton Rd. | Concord | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Propane refills and exchanges | |
| Bill's Ace Hardware | 3610 Pacheco Blvd. | Martinez | Recycle | Drop-off for a Fee | Soda Stream canister exchange - all sizes | |
| Blue Rhino Propane Tank Exchange Locations | One Liberty Plaza | Liberty | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Propane tank exchange location finder. | |
| Brentwood Ace Hardware |
8900 Brentwood Blvd. Ste. J |
Brentwood | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | refills and exchanges | |
| Central Contra Costa HHW Collection Facility | 4797 Imhoff Pl. | Martinez | Recycle | Free Drop-off | Propane only. Five gallons or less. | |
| Chevron Oakland (Hegenberger) | 451 Hegenberger | Oakland | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Refills empty cylinders, including reusable 1 lb cylinders | |
| City of Palo Alto Household Hazardous Waste Station Program | 2501 Embarcadero Way | Palo Alto | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Only 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste per visit. Must be a Palo Alto resident, proof of residency is required. | |
| Cole Hardware (Rockridge) | 5533 College Ave | Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Propane exchange. Does not accept single use small propane canisters. Small camp | |
| 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 | |
| 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. | |
| Delta HHW Collection Facility | 2550 Pittsburg-Antioch Hwy | Antioch | Recycle | Free Drop-off, Drop-off for a Fee | ||
| Fast Gas and Propane | 13700 Catalina St | San Leandro | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Refills cylinders only. | |
| Fredericksen Hardware | 3029 Fillmore St. | San Francisco | Reuse | Free Drop-off | refill | |
| Freon Free | 1881 Walters Ct Suite A | Fairfield | Recycle | Drop-off for a Fee, Pick-up for a Fee | Services them | |
| Home Depot | 5631 Lone Tree Way | Brentwood | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Propane refills |
