Gas Cylinders and Fire Extinguishers

Gas cylinders can explode inside our collection trucks, causing serious injury and damage.

DO NOT dispose of pressurized gas cylinders with trash or recycling.

These include:

  • ANY compressed gas fuel tanks or canisters (propane, butane, acetylene, MAPP gas)
  • Oxygen tanks
  • Helium (balloon) tanks
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinders
  • Fire extinguishers

Disposal

Propane and other fuel gasses are highly flammable and should be handled with extreme caution.

To get rid of most gas cylinders, you can:

  • Exchange them when buying a new one
  • Return them to a store or dealer where they are sold
  • Take them to a scrap metal dealer
  • Bring them to a SAFE Disposal Event

Fire Extinguishers

Do not place in trash or recycling. Contact a FDNY-certified fire extinguisher retailer or bring to a SAFE Disposal Event.

Most fire extinguishers are refillable by FDNY-certified fire extinguisher retailers.

Learn more about smoke and carbon monoxide detector disposal.