What do I do with empty gas bottles?

Many chemical products pass their expiry date, are replaced by newer products, are banned by legislation, or are simply no longer needed. What do you do with these old products? How do you dispose of them safely?

Products you may need to dispose of

• Smoke alarms
• Batteries - regular batteries and lead acid batteries for cars and boats, etc
• BCF fire extinguishers containing halon gases that affect the ozone layer
• Distress flares
• LPG cylinders and other gas bottles
• Medications
• Paints and solvents
• Motor oils and other oils
• Poisons
• Household cleaners
• Garden chemicals and pesticides

How and where to dispose

All over NSW there are Community Recycling Centres (CRC) and Household Chemical CleanOut events, where you can drop off household problem waste for free. Most of the above products in household quantities and amounts can be taken to a CRC or a Cleanout event. For your nearest CRC venue and Cleanout event times visit the EPA website [external link].

For any business and commercial quantity waste enquiries, visit https://businessrecycling.com.au [external link]. 

Smoke alarms

Ionisation type smoke alarms are slightly radioactive, and up to 10 may be placed in the regular household rubbish. See our Safe disposal of smoke alarms fact sheet. They may also be taken to a CRC or a Household Chemical Cleanout event [external link].

Batteries - rechargeable and non rechargeable

Any brand of AA, AAA, C, D and 9V batteries can be recycled at any Aldi store or Battery world. For more information and to locate your closest store visit the Planet Arc website [external link]. They may also be taken to a CRC or a Household Chemical Cleanout event [external link].

Batteries - lead acid (car batteries)

Most car workshops, scrap metal dealers and service stations will accept used car batteries for recycling. They may also be taken to a CRC or a Household Chemical Cleanout event [external link].

BCF and other fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers may be taken for disposal and/or recycling to a CRC or a Household Chemical Cleanout event [external link].

Hazardous chemicals

Hazadous chemicals including but not limited to: poisons, household cleaners and chemicals, pool chemicals, garden chemicals and pesticides, cosmetics and skincare products can be taken to a Household Chemical Cleanout event [external link]. Chemicals should never be placed in household waste or disposed of into drains.

Distress flares

NSW Roads and Maritime maintains a program each year to help boaters dispose of expired and unwanted marine flares at various state-wide locations. For venues and dates near you visit the RMS website [external link].

LPG and other gas cylinders

Gas bottles/cylinders may be taken for disposal and/or recycling to a CRC or a Household Chemical Cleanout event [external link].

Medications

Return any unwanted medicines and medications to your local pharmacy. Your pharmacist has access to a secure bin used for collection and safe disposal.

Paints and solvents

Paints and associated solvents may be taken for disposal to a CRC or a Household Chemical Cleanout event [external link].

Used motor oil

Supercheap Auto now runs a used motor oil recycling scheme free of charge. Pour your used motor oil into sealable bottles and take to any of their stores Australia wide. Locate your nearest store here [external link]. Used motor and other oils may also be taken for disposal and/or recycling to a CRC or a Household Chemical Cleanout event [external link].

Storing and transporting unwanted chemicals

• Never mix chemicals as this may produce dangerous reactions.
• Wherever possible keep all chemicals in their original containers.
• Ensure containers are clearly labelled and well-sealed. If you do not know the contents, label the container 'unknown chemical'.
• Liquid can leak during transport: wrap containers holding liquids securely in newspaper, place in sturdy plastic bags and then in plastic buckets or trays.
• Keep household chemicals away from passengers, for example, by placing them in the boot of your car.

First Aid

• Follow first-aid instructions. If skin or eyes are burnt, if chemical has been swallowed or ingested or fumes inhaled - seek immediate medical attention.
• Remember the Poisons Information Line: 131 126

In an Emergency Call Triple Zero (000)

A collaboration of the Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, ACT Fire Brigade and ACT Rural Fire Service

Print

Gas cylinders contain liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas or LPG) stored at high pressure so you need to be careful to store, use, refill and dispose of them safely. The following information explains gas cylinder safety practices.

Storage and maintenance

• Keep the cylinder away from heat and direct sunlight where practicable.
• Check the valves are tightly turned off.
• Carry and store the cylinder upright at all times.
• Insert a POL (Prest-O-Lite) valve plug in the cylinder when you aren’t using it.
• Check your cylinder regularly for damage, malfunction and gas leaks (a ‘rotten egg’ gas smell).
• Use an approved test station to repair or replace cylinder valves if needed.
• Do not attempt to repair or remove cylinder valves yourself—only a licensed gasfitter can do this.

Using gas cylinders and devices

When using a gas cylinder and device:

• Do not use a cylinder that has corrosion or damage.
• Do not use a cylinder that is out of date—the test date, stamped on the base or neck of the cylinder, is valid for 10 years.
• If you’re using the cylinder with a low-pressure gas device, use a regulator to control the pressure—ask your gas supplier or the manufacturer to explain how.

When you have finished, make sure the regulator hose is empty of gas:

• Turn off the cylinder valve while the gas device is still operating. Then turn off the gas device valve.

Exchanges and refills

Your local LPG retailer can safely refill or exchange your LPG cylinder. Before you purchase a cylinder or accept an exchange cylinder:

• Check it is fitted with a valve plug.
• Check the cylinder is in date—to be refilled, a cylinder must have a valid 10-year test stamp.
• Do not refill your own gas cylinder—only trained people using special equipment can do this safely.

Disposal

You can dispose of gas cylinders safely, at:

• approved gas cylinder test stations
• some council refuse centres
• some gas suppliers.

Last updated: 9 July 2018

Gas bottles may be refilled or recycled as scrap metal. Generally made from steel, recycling reduces the energy required to produce steel products from raw materials. Gas bottles should not be placed in landfill where they may explode or leak toxic gas.

Gas bottles and their fittings are generally manufactured from plate steel, a metal that can be effectively recycled over and over again. This can save up to 75 per cent of the energy needed to make steel products from raw materials. Some gas bottles are also suitable for reuse through refilling. If not possible, gas bottles must always be degassed and devalved before they can be recycled. The potentially hazardous nature of pressurised cylinders makes them a priority to divert from landfill where they may place the health and safety of employees and members of the public at risk, should the cylinder explode or leak poisonous gas when compacted.

Recycling Options

• Many manufactures accept bottles for return including BOC / CIG, Matheson, Linde, GasTech, Air Liquide, LAA or Liquid Air cylinders. Diving tanks should be returned to the manufacturer, via dive centres or re-fillers. If you are unsure if a gas bottle can be returned, it is advisable to contact the manufacture.
• SWAPnGO run a national gas bottle exchange program through a range of retail outlets, where you can swap any brand of gas bottle that is up to 9kg in size.
• CAC GAS runs a reycling service for calibration gas cylinders. Please see the Gas Cylinders page for more information.
  

What Happens When It’s Recycled?

Gas bottles are tested for reuse and if possible refilled by manufactures. Those bottles that are damaged, deteriorated, or for other reasons unfit for reuse are recycled as scrap metal. Most gas bottles are not safe to be recycled unless they have been degassed, devalved, and may be punctured or in some other way tagged to indicate their ‘gas free’ status.

More Info & Sources

CAC GAS

SWAPnGO

End of Life Gas Bottles can be disposed of and recycled close to the Adelaide CBD at Metrowaste.

Old Gas canisters and bottles should never be disposed of in general waste as they can present a hazard if compacted or put into general landfill. These types of items can degrade over time releasing harmful emissions and polluting the environment for years to come, they can also over time become a serious danger to our community if left in an unsafe manner.

Metrowaste Adelaide are passionate about recycling and offer a waste transfer station close to Adelaide enabling you to drop off all unwanted gas bottles and cylinders for safe and environmentally friendly disposal.

We recycle all old gas bottles including standard BBQ cylinders, old vehicle LPG cylinders, old fire extinguishers, CFC and small industrial cylinders.

If disposed of correctly old Gas cylinders can be effectively recycled for scrap metal and, metal fittings reused for a range of other applications. All gas bottles at the end of their useful life require decommissioning and all contents extracted to ensure safe environmentally friendly disposal.

Larger type cylinders may require additional transport options and Metrowastes mini bin service may be helpful in the safe transportation of old and unwanted gas cylinders.

If you are unsure of exactly what type of items you have, please feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to explain what we can and cannot accept.

For all your gas bottle and cylinder disposal and recycling needs – think Metrowaste Adelaide.