How & Where to Recycle Specific Materials

Propane Tanks - Updated June 29, 2009

There are two types of propane tanks.  20-pound tanks used with barbeque grills, and 1-pound canisters used for camp stoves and similar equipment.

20-pound Tanks:  The River County Co-Op [Cenex Gas Station; 723-2828] in Chippewa Falls accepts these tanks at no charge.  They are located at 1080 W. River St. (State Business Highway 29) near the intersection with US Highway 53.  In addition, Max Phillips and Toy's Salvage will accept empty 20-pound propane tanks if the valves are removed first.  However, the valves are difficult to take off and require a specialized tool.

1-pound Canisters:  These containers need to be fully vented before they can be recycled.  The Coleman Company sells a product (green keys) to vent their canisters  This is a new item that wasintroduced earlier this year and as of May 6, 2009, no stores in the Eau Claire area sell this product.  However, they can be ordered on line - a six-pack currentlys costs $0.99. 

Please note that these canisters should only be recycled at scrap yards.  They are not accepted at the county's recycling drop-off stations or by the haulers providing curbside recycling service.

To see what the product looks like, and to watch a very short demonstration video, follow these steps:

1.  Go to:  www.coleman.com/coleman/home.asp

2.  Under gear, click on "stoves"

3.  Click on "propane stoves"

4.  Scoll to the bottom of the page.