March 8, 2022 – Business Owners, Home Owners, Propane Answers
Propane tanks of all sizes may need to be disposed of one day. Whether it is a barbecue tank, used for a patio heater, or an underground tank, there may come a time when you don’t need it anymore.
One of the first things you should do when you have to throw away your propane tank is to call the company that handles your propane needs. They may be able to pick it up, and if they can’t do that, they can point you in the right direction. Be sure to give a reputable local propane company a call.
(At Paraco, we have scores of satisfied customers and we’re ready to take care of your needs — just get in touch.)
It’s important to always keep safety in mind when it comes to propane tank disposal. Some tanks still contain a small amount of gas, and that’s why it’s important to call in verified technicians. Only propane dealers can safely recover it.
After that residual propane is safely transferred to a different tank, the cylinder is depressurized and all the valves and fittings are removed.
This is NOT something that should be performed by an unlicensed individual. Removing gas from a cylinder or any propane tank prior to disposal can result in fire, injury, or death.
Once again, we must stress that this is a job best left to the professionals.
Another option is to call your town or city or check out their website. While it’s likely they won’t pick up propane tanks at your regularly scheduled trash pick-up, they may have certain areas throughout town that accept these types of things and/or special dates for disposal.
It’s also likely that you can be able to dispose of them for free yourself with a trip to your local waste management facility or recycling center. Just be sure to call ahead or check their website for specific information on hazardous waste and propane tank disposal so that you don’t waste a trip or potentially face disappointment.
For underground propane tank removal, there’s significantly more work involved.
The preferred method of underground tank disposal is recovering all of the gas and pressure from the tank, then filling the tank with water or sand. Again, leave this to the professionals. The process may sound simple, but it’s far from easy.
When properly cared for, underground storage tanks pose no threat to the soil or the environment, so it’s best to let them be.
This method of disposal is the approved method by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Their website provides further disposal and safety information.
Propane tank disposal is a very serious matter that should be left to professionals. Be sure to call your city’s government to find out any laws pertaining to propane tank disposal, and when you need to get rid of it call a licensed, trained professional — like the specialists here at Paraco.
Thanks for explaining that underground tanks are more complex, so it is best to fill them with sand or water when the tank has been drained. My brother bought a house that has an underground propane tank, and he wants to remove it because he plans on installing a pool this summer. I will p[ass him the tips so he can contact a propane company and see if the tank could be removed, or see if he can keep it since it will be useful to heat up the pool as well.
I will need to familiarize myself with propane products because I’m planning to start a food truck business someday. I’m planning to add barbecues in the menu so getting propane tanks for the grill would be the way go. It’s interesting to know that tank disposal should be left to professionals because there would still be a tiny amount of the gas inside.
I like that you recommend leaving the disposing matter to the professionals and ask the gas delivery person to put it in the safest place. I just moved from my parent’s house to a new house with my 3-year-old daughter, and I don’t know where is the safest place to put it to avoid my daughter sees it. I will start looking for a propane gas delivery service, and I will make sure I ask them to put it in a safe place.
I didn’t realize that an underground tank is best left beneath your property with the gas and pressure removed and replaced with water. My husband and I just bought a house, and we are trying to decide if we want to go with a propane tank or if we want a system hooked up to the city’s lines. I think we’ll go with propane because the house already has a tank.
I have a small cylinder for my gas grill. Last time I filled it I was told I would need a new one for the next fill. Where do I buy one? Can I exchange the old one with the purchase of a new one? If not, how do I dispose of it?
Hello Catherine! If your Small Cylinder is from Paraco, you can visit the nearest location to you, that offers the BBQ Tank Exchange option – You can check our locations here. At some of our locations, you can refill, exchange, or dispose of cylinders.
I have searched your site for information on where I can recycle an old cylinder, and I cannot find any info, even though I followed the link “Where to dispose…” Please send me a link to disposal/recycling locations in or near 06801. Thanks
Hi, Matthew! Go to our locations page and scroll down to Connecticut to find the Paraco location closest to you, and then give them a call. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction for your area!