Disposing of gas bottles / canisters safely

Gas bottles or canisters such as those filled with butane, propane and helium can often be reused or recycled, but can cause big problems if placed in your kerbside recycling or general waste bin. They can be damaged in waste collections vehicles or processing facilities and can explode or cause dangerous and damaging fires.

Please make sure to dispose of your gas canisters safely using the advice below:

Where can I dispose of a gas canister/bottle?

• Household aerosol sprays – Non-hazardous household aerosols sprays such as deodorant or hairspray can safely be placed in your household recycling bin when the can is empty. Hazardous aerosols are not collected at the kerbside or at the recycling and household waste sites. Hazardous household aerosols are usually found in the garage or shed (examples include: insect spray, spray paint, WD 40, de icer, etc). Please refer to the Leicestershire County Council website for more information on safely disposing of these.

• Branded caravan or boat type cylinders (e.g. Calor Gas) – legal ownership remains with the gas company who issued them. They should be returned to this company. Visit Liquid Gas UK for disposal information.

• Unbranded caravan or boat type cylinders – If you have a cylinder with no markings to identify its legal owner, these can be taken to some of our recycling and household waste sites. Please see the Leicestershire County Council website to find out which sites are able to accept them.

• Commercial gas cylinders – Cylinders containing commercial type gases such as those used for welding are not accepted in kerbside recycling collections or at Recycling and Household Waste Sites. Return the cylinder(s) to the supplier that provided them.

• Medical gas cylinders – Any cylinders containing oxygen should be returned to the medical facility in which they were issued.

• Fire extinguishers – Please visit the “How do I dispose of” A-Z list for current advice on the disposal of fire extinguishers.

• Camping gas stove cylinder – Please attach the cylinder to the stove and burn off any residual contents before disposal. These can be taken to some Recycling and Household Waste Sites. Please check which sites are currently able to accept them on the Leicestershire County Council website before visiting.

• Party balloon inflation cylinders – These can be taken to some of our recycling and household waste sites. Please see the Leicestershire County Council website for more information on which sites currently accept them.

• BBQ/Patio heater gas bottles and cylinders – Return them to the manufacturer or the retailer where you bought them. Many retailers and suppliers will allow you to return your gas bottle for a replacement once used. For advice about Calor Gas bottles, visit the their refill, exchange and return page. For gas cylinders other than Calor Gas, read the advice on the Liquid Gas UK website. Alternatively, check to see if your local Recycling and Household Waste Site can accept them.