Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Disposing of 1 lb. propane cylinders
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tumblehome |
DOT Hazardous materials transportation regulations apply to in-commerce activities. Think of it this way. If you buy a couple cases of fireworks to take to the cabin, you are permitted to transport them over a pupblic roadway without the requirements of placarding your vehicle, having a hazmat license, driving a DOT inspected vehicle, proper insurance to transport explosives and maintaining log books. Take those same cases of fireworks and put them into a commercial carrier vehicle and all of that applies. Snip< The Secretary of the Department of Transportation receives the authority to regulate the transportation of hazardous materials from the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA), (1) the manufacture, fabrication, marking, maintenance, reconditioning, repair, testing, or distribution of packages or containers for use by any "person" in the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce; or (2) the transportation or shipment by any "person" of hazardous materials in "commerce."> SNIP I am involved in an industry that transports hazardous materials both in commerce and not in commerce. I have written signed documentation signed by an authority with the Federal DOT spelling this out clearly if you want me to post that too. Of course there are state, and local laws that come into play. And to willfully cause injury or damage to people or property is not part of CFR49 hazardous materials Tom |
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TrailZen |
Canoearoo: "butthead: " If you want to dispose of propane tanks at home remove the valve core with a bicycle valve tool to fully drain, Here you go: Remove Valve Core . The core is the same Schrader valve core that's in your vehicle tires, etc, and there are many variations of the tool shown in this video, but you get the idea... TZ |
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Canoearoo |
butthead: " If you want to dispose of propane tanks at home remove the valve core with a bicycle valve tool to fully drain, Do you have a video or link showing how to remove the valve core with the bicycle tool? I tried to google it and couldn't find any info on how to do this. |
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thegildedgopher |
Canoearoo: "butthead: " If you want to dispose of propane tanks at home remove the valve core with a bicycle valve tool to fully drain, EDIT: oops, TZ beat me to it ;) I think it's just a standard schrader valve, same as your car and most bike tries. Buy a "tire tackle" kit at your local car parts store (about 5 bucks), it comes with new valve cores, a tool, and some patching stuff for emergencies. The tool fits snugly inside the valve stem, engages the core, and you just turn the tool counter clockwise to remove the core. Caveat: Never done this on a propane can, I bring mine to hazardous waste. But I had a leaky valve stem on my truck that wouldn't allow the tire to hold air. Removing and replacing the valve stems was VERY simple. |
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Z4K |
butthead: "I'm on the side of disposing properly as I have been close to a 1 pound refill blowing up. Removed the back half of the vehicle and collapsed the carport it was parked under. The original propane valves were not designed for re-filling." Yes they are easy to refill and legal to transport in a personal vehicle for personal use after refilling. They are still dangerous! You should assume that they will leak. Risks associated (asphyxiation, explosion) are mitigated by simply never placing them in an enclosed space after refilling. That includes pickups with toppers/toneaus. Car trunks especially can get very hot on a long drive north and that temperature change is often what will cause them to leak. |
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Canoearoo |
THEGrandRapids: "I've used them as .22 targets. The first hit they like to generate some sideways movement and after that they are empty. Can take about 2 or 3 dozen hits before they really fall apart. Zero chance they can explode with out a significant delayed and powerful incendiary round. Fairly fumey the first time you go down to reset them. " This is what we usually do but bullets are getting harder to find and aren't as cheap as they use to be so I was looking for a simpler way. Thank you |
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cmanimal |
The Winona county Mn hazardous waste won't take them but the metal recycler in the city of Winona will. |
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lindylair |
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Unas10 |
Or, relieve all the leftover pressure, cut the tank in half and toss it in the garbage. |
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shock |
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analyzer |
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GopherAdventure |
Tony |
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snaebyllej |
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analyzer |
Otherwise, I suspect you could bring the empties to your county household hazardous waste site. |
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tumblehome |
billconner: "Take them to a hazardous waste disposal site. Yeahaaa.... Inmate: “What you in for convict?” Me: “I refilled my propane cylinder. Got me five years.” |
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shock |
thanks for all the replies. |
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billconner |
Consider 1 pound reuseable cylinders as a safer, mor environmentally friendly, and fully legal solution. FlameKing A little more: RVTravel article |
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Savage Voyageur |
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butthead |
Another reason to go with iso-butane, they can be pierced and crushed easily for disposal. If you want to dispose of propane tanks at home remove the valve core with a bicycle valve tool to fully drain, then cut or crush as best you can and toss in trash. butthead |
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OneMatch |
Savage Voyageur: "They are considered hazardous waste. What makes them hazardous waste is they might have some gas left in them, basically a tiny bomb under pressure. We had many of these from camping trips that were empty. I would empty them and cut them in half on my band saw. Then they are just metal, so you just toss them in any metal recycling bin. My work had a metal recycling bin that I would bring them to. Any landfill has a separate bin to toss metal into. That metal does not go into the landfill, it gets shredded and reused. Any auto or diesel shop has a metal recycling bin too. Ask to see if you can toss them in. " Thanks for this reply SV. I think we're once again ready to enter into a landfill crisis and I do everything I can not to dispose something that can be recycled (with a bit of work, I admit). I once heard a great quote about "throwing things away" ... there is no "away". |
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tumblehome |
I do empty them out and crush them. I do the same with the butane canisters. Although once I get around to it, I will start refilling them. Not rocket science. Tom |
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ayudell |
billconner: "Perhaps 5 years seems too little if his reused cylinder was implicated in casualties. I'd like to reiterate how nice these Flameking reusables are. They have a higher quality valve, so they are DOT legal after refill. They also have a bleeder screw so you can bleed them as you are filling, and get a full fill every time without messing around. They are about $14 each. I have 4 that I use for ice fishing, and I can burn a pound of propane for $0.75 instead of $4.50 and not create hazardous water in the process. When you refill, make sure to do it outside the garage, and preferably with a bit of a breeze, as some propane does get loose through the bleeder. |
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analyzer |
billconner: "Take them to a hazardous waste disposal site. Thanks, I didn't know that. Much obliged. |
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jhb8426 |
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billconner |
Regarding refills (please don't shoot the messenger): "Be advised that if you take a refilled single-use cylinder on a public right of way you are in violation of the DOT regulation (49 U.S.C. 5124) that applies to that device. The penalty, if you are caught, can be a fine up to $500,000 or 5 years imprisonment." |
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lundojam |
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tumblehome |
billconner: "Take them to a hazardous waste disposal site. Bill you are incorrect. Your DOT reference is when in commerce. An individual traveling on public roads not in comerse is exempt from DOT regulations. |
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brp |
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billconner |
tumblehome: "billconner: "Take them to a hazardous waste disposal site. First, I said don't shoot the messenger. I only offered a quote. :) Next, can you provide a source for your statement? I find its illegal to commercially refill these, and illegal to transport on federally funded roads (virtually all roads I believe), but can't find a single source about applying to only commercial transport. The general concept that DOT regs only apply to commercial vehicles seems not yo hold for hazardous materials. Still have to wonder why refill bottles not designed to be refilled. |
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Savage Voyageur |
Lawyers and Law Makers. |
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shock |
brp: "I’d be really careful about cutting those, most cutting involves heat or sparks. If you remove the valve core I suggest filling with water to make sure all residual explosive gas is out. "i was thinking the same thing . i knew a guy who was welding his gas tank , filled with water , then emptied , starting welding and he had a mini explosion , tank stayed together but turned into a pillow tank. becareful for sure , |
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butthead |
In the 60's I did this for my father. he insisted on venting the 14 ounce propane torch tanks he emptied. Wear gloves the propane residue is very cold when venting, do it outdoors. butthead |
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THEGrandRapids |
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