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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLK Smog Shop | 5509 Martin Luther King Jr Way | Oakland | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Refills reusable 1 lb propane cylinders | |
| Airgas Store (Oakland) | 4445 Oakport St | Oakland | Recycle | Drop-off for a Fee | Call for details. Acceptance includes nitrous cylinders. | |
| 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. | |
| Radius Recycling (Formerly Schnitzer Steel) (Oakland) | 1101 Embarcadero West | Oakland | Recycle | Buyback Pick-up | Commercial quantity. Gas cylinders including air bottles, shock absorbers, propane, and other gas tanks, must be cut in half and valves removed. Acetylene cylinders are strictly prohibited. | |
| Laurel Ace Hardware | 4024 MacArthur Ave. | Oakland | Recycle | Drop-off for a Fee | Propane exchange or refill. | |
| 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. | |
| U-Haul Refill Station Locator | 5330 International Blvd | Oakland | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Location finder for propane refills. Fee for refill | |
| Cole Hardware (Rockridge) | 5533 College Ave | Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Propane exchange. Does not accept single use small propane canisters. Small camp | |
| Home Depot (Oakland) | 4000 Alameda Ave. | Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Propane refills & exchanges (fee) | |
| Chevron Oakland (Hegenberger) | 451 Hegenberger | Oakland | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Refills empty cylinders, including reusable 1 lb cylinders | |
| Pick-Up Propane BBQ Tank Exchange (CA Location Finder) |
889 West Grand Ave ARCO AM/PM (IFuels Inc.) (Pick Up Propane Location) |
Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Fee for exchange, upgrade or sale. | |
| Home Depot (Newark) | 5401 Thornton Ave. | Newark | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Propane refills & exchanges (fee) | |
| Central Contra Costa HHW Collection Facility | 4797 Imhoff Pl. | Martinez | Recycle | Free Drop-off | Propane only. Five gallons or less. | |
| Bill's Ace Hardware | 3610 Pacheco Blvd. | Martinez | Recycle | Drop-off for a Fee | Soda Stream canister exchange - all 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 | |
| Airgas Store (Livermore) | 800 Greenville Rd | Livermore | Recycle | Pick-up for a Fee | unusual shapes & sizes. Acceptance includes nitrous 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. | |
| Blue Rhino Propane Tank Exchange Locations | One Liberty Plaza | Liberty | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Propane tank exchange location finder. | |
| Home Depot | 1625 Sycamore Ave. | Hercules | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Propane refills | |
| 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 |
