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
Home Depot 11939 San Pablo Ave. El Cerrito Reuse Free Drop-off Propane refills
Staples (Concord) 4498 Treat Blvd. Concord Reuse Free Drop-off Soda Stream CO2 cylinders - drop off, they send back to be refilled.
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.
Home Depot (Emeryville) 3838 Hollis St. Emeryville Reuse Free Drop-off Propane refills & exchanges (fee)
Fredericksen Hardware 3029 Fillmore St. San Francisco Reuse Free Drop-off 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 1625 Sycamore Ave. Hercules Reuse Free Drop-off Propane refills
Staples (Antioch) 4863 Lone Tree Way Antioch Reuse Free Drop-off Soda Stream CO2 cylinders - drop off, they send back to be refilled.
Home Depot (Fremont) 43900 Ice House Ter. Fremont Reuse Free Drop-off Propane refills & exchanges (fee)
Home Depot 2300 N. Park Blvd. Pittsburg Reuse Free Drop-off Propane refills
Home Depot (Hayward) 21787 Hesperian Blvd. Hayward Reuse Free Drop-off Propane refills & exchanges (fee)
Home Depot 1781 E. Bayshore Rd East Palo Alto Reuse Free Drop-off Propane refills
Home Depot 2750 Crow Canyon Rd. San Ramon Reuse Free Drop-off Propane refills
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.
Linde/Praxair Welding Gas & Equipment Center 2615 Alvarado St San Leandro Repair Drop-off for a Fee Call first.
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Fremont Facility) 41149 Boyce Rd.
(At the Fremont Transfer Station - follow the trucks)
Fremont 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.
Airgas Store (San Carlos) 820 Industrial Rd San Carlos Recycle Pick-up for a Fee unusual shapes & sizes
Recology SF Household Hazardous Waste Home Collection 501 Tunnel Ave San Francisco Recycle Free Pick-up San Francisco Residents only.
Staples (Pinole) 1230 Fitzgerald Dr. Pinole Recycle Free Drop-off Soda Stream CO2 cylinders - drop off, they send back to be refilled.
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.

Curbside Service

RE:Source is an online directory for reuse, repair and proper disposal options for the California East Bay area and Palo Alto. Our goal is to connect you with the best options for what you need to get rid of or repair. Please note that we do not accept any items directly.

If you have questions or feedback about this directory, please get in touch, we'd love to hear from you.

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