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for Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and the City of Palo Alto
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Compressed Gas Cylinders - Single-use/Non-working

Single-use compressed gas cylinders are commonly used for camp stoves, welding, filled with flammable propane or butane.

Household Hazardous Waste

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

Single-use compressed gas cylinders are commonly used for camp stoves, welding, filled with flammable propane or butane. Damaged or empty gas cylinders are hazardous waste and should never be put in the garbage or recycling. They could become punctured during the collection process and cause a fire or injury.

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 or have additional disposal suggestions. As possible, take it back to where you got it or have the supplier come pick it up. For situations other than common fuels, contact a hazardous waste pick-up hauler.

Bring home empty single-use gas containers from camping or tailgating for proper disposal. Consider switching to refillable camping gas 1lb cylinders. Go to RefuelYourFun.org for details and locations.

Vendors

Vendor Address City Destination Disposal Method Notes
Airgas Store (Berkeley - 6th St) 1224 Sixth St Berkeley Recycle Drop-off for a Fee unusual shapes & sizes. Not camping propane.
Airgas Store (Livermore) 800 Greenville Rd Livermore Recycle Pick-up for a Fee unusual shapes & sizes
Airgas Store (San Carlos) 820 Industrial Rd San Carlos Recycle Pick-up for a Fee unusual shapes & sizes
Airgas Store (San Jose) 140 S. Montgomery St San Jose Recycle Drop-off for a Fee, Pick-up for a Fee unusual shapes & sizes
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Fremont Facility) 41149 Boyce Rd.
(At the Fremont Transfer Station - follow the trucks)
Fremont Safe Disposal 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.
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Hayward Facility) 2091 West Winton Avenue Hayward Safe Disposal 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.
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Livermore Facility) 5584 La Ribera Street Livermore Safe Disposal 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.
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Oakland Facility) 2100 East 7th Street Oakland Safe Disposal 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.
Alamo (Dublin) Ace Hardware 7373 Village Pkwy Dublin Recycle Drop-off for a Fee Propane exchange. 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.
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 345 9th St San Francisco Recycle Free Drop-off Empty campstove-size only
Cole Hardware 70 4th St. San Francisco Recycle Free Drop-off Empty campstove-size only
Cole Hardware 956 Cole St. San Francisco Recycle Free Drop-off Empty campstove-size only
Cole Hardware 2254 Polk St. San Francisco Recycle Free Drop-off Empty campstove-size only
Cole Hardware, Vallejo St. 627 Vallejo St San Francisco Recycle Free Drop-off Empty campstove-size only
Delta HHW Collection Facility 2550 Pittsburg-Antioch Hwy Antioch Recycle Free Drop-off, Drop-off for a Fee
Handy Handyman Ace Hardware 2075 Market St. San Francisco Recycle Drop-off for a Fee Soda Stream canister exchange - all sizes
Hassett Ace Hardware 875 Alma Street Palo Alto Recycle Drop-off for a Fee Soda Stream canister exchange - all sizes
Laurel Ace Hardware 4024 MacArthur Ave. Oakland Reuse Drop-off for a Fee Soda Stream canister exchange - all sizes

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