This video of a propane tank explosion at a recycling facility shows how serious the effects of improper disposal can be

Prince George, B.C. – Now that the long weekend and all that barbecuing is almost complete, what to do with that empty gas canister?

Recycle BC reminds people that improperly disposing of these materials by putting them in the recycling bin creates a serious fire risk.

The most common types of canisters are reusable propane tanks and disposable propane canisters. Other examples include butane cartridges, helium balloon tanks and oxygen tanks used for home health.

Here are some Recycle BC tips to make disposal of gas canisters safe:

• Don’t put gas canisters in the recycling bin. Compressed gas cylinders are dangerous when included with curbside, multi-family building or depot recycling.
• Take gas canisters to the appropriate depot. The Recycling Council of British Columbia’s Recyclepeida allows you to search for a nearby depot by selecting which item you need to recycle, and where you live. You can also call their recycling hotline at 1-800-667-4321 or email hotline@rcbc.ca.
• You can also download Recycle BC’s free recycling app to help you find out which recyclable materials go where.