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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staples (SF - California St) | 300 California St. | San Francisco | Recycle | Free Drop-off | Soda Stream CO2 cylinders - drop off, they send back to be refilled. | |
| Airgas Store (Berkeley - Gilman) | 635 Gilman St | Berkeley | Recycle | Drop-off for a Fee | Call for details. Unusual sizes and shapes. Acceptance includes nitrous cylinders. | |
| Linde/Praxair Welding Gas & Equipment Center | 2615 Alvarado St | San Leandro | Repair | Drop-off for a Fee | Call first. | |
| 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. | |
| Airgas Store (San Leandro) | 1592 Doolittle Dr | San Leandro | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Call for details. Unusual sizes and shapes. Acceptance includes nitrous cylinders. | |
| 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 | |
| Staples (SF - Van Ness) | 1700 Van Ness Ave. | San Francisco | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Soda Stream CO2 cylinders - drop off, they send back to be refilled. | |
| Home Depot (Newark) | 5401 Thornton Ave. | Newark | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Propane refills & exchanges (fee) | |
| U-Haul Fremont (Thornton) | 4833 Thornton Ave | Fremont | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Sells empty or full cylinders and refills cylinders, including reusable 1 lb 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 | |
| Home Depot (El Cerrito) | 11939 San Pablo Ave | El Cerrito | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Propane refills & exchanges (fee) | |
| Staples (Fremont) | 39116 Fremont Hub | Fremont | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Soda Stream CO2 cylinders - drop off, they send back to be refilled. | |
| 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 | |
| Airgas Store (Hayward) | 30131 Industrial Pkwy SW | Hayward | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Call for details. Unusual sizes and shapes. Acceptance includes nitrous cylinders. | |
| 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. | |||
| Fredericksen Hardware | 3029 Fillmore St. | San Francisco | Reuse | Free Drop-off | refill | |
| Staples (San Ramon) | 2710 Crow Canyon Rd. | San Ramon | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Soda Stream CO2 cylinders - drop off, they send back to be refilled. | |
| Blue Rhino Propane Tank Exchange Locations | One Liberty Plaza | Liberty | Reuse | Drop-off for a Fee | Propane tank exchange location finder. | |
| Staples (Pleasant Hill) | 2120 Crescent Dr. | Pleasant Hill | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Soda Stream CO2 cylinders - drop off, they send back to be refilled. |
