How to Dispose of a Gas Canister Responsibly
There are certain items of waste that are difficult to dispose of – a used gas canister can't just be popped into the green bin for the binmen to take away. This problem can be particularly frustrating after you’ve had a BBQ or used a helium canister for a birthday party and you want to get rid of it quickly.
Instead, you need to find the most ethical way to get rid of your used gas canisters.
Return to Owner
The vast majority of the gas cylinders that are in use in the UK today are owned by the major gas suppliers. These gas canisters are supplied as part of a rental agreement in which the user pays a fee. When you have no further use for a canister of this type, it should be returned to the owners, who will conduct a safety check and then refill it for the next user.
If you've lost the original agreement or inherited the canisters in question, the gas company will still arrange for collection, but you'll lose any deposit that was originally paid. The gas companies will then dispose of the canisters, using approved procedures and disposing of them at authorised waste disposal sites.
Recycle Your Gas Canister
Most gas bottles can be recycled if you take them to your local household waste centre. Here, your gas bottles will be emptied and the valve removed and recycled separately. Metal gas canisters are then recycled at a traditional metal recycling facility.
Check if your local recycling centre charges for you to dispose of non-household waste with our tip charge checker.
Be Responsible
In the first instance, you should always try and return used gas canisters to the owners so they can be reused, as this is the most environmentally friendly way of dealing with these canisters.
Failing that, disposing of non-household waste using a reputable waste collection company ensures that your waste will be properly sorted and disposed of in the most appropriate way, ensuring they are recycled. This is the sustainable and ethical choice for disposing of stainless steel gas canisters, as they can be endlessly recycled – even the waste gas can be recovered and recycled as fuel.
Find out more on how to dispose of your non-household waste responsibly on our blog. We regularly update it, so you’re always in the know about how to get rid of your waste properly.