Butane has a host of uses as a fuel. It’s used in gasoline, fragrant extraction, CBD oil derivatives, refrigeration, cooking, cigarette lighters, aerosol sprays, deodorants and many others.
But when you have cans of butane sitting around, you have to dispose of them.
Follow these tips and instructions to learn how to dispose of butane cans in a legal and safe way.
Don’t just toss them into the garbage or recycling.
Likewise, avoid throwing it in the nearby woods or body of water. You will create countless hazards and dangers by doing that.
Commercial and industrial operations should contract with a waste management company specializing in hazardous material disposal.
But, if you’re an individual, then follow the guidelines below to dispose of butane cans properly.
What Butane Is ; How to Store Canisters
First, understand that butane is a colorless and odorless solvent.
So, just because you can’t see or smell any butane doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Always assume there’s at least a minuscule amount of it in there.
They are very safe to store, even when used up, but you have to observe some precautions.
If you don’t want to dispose of the cans right after using them, ensure you do the following:
- Label used cans with a marker and keep it separate from full butane canisters.
- Always keep butane indoors and don’t put the canisters in direct sunlight, heat, fire, oxidizers or near electricity.
- Keep them in a cool, dry place that stays under 122°F (50°C).
- The only time butane should be in a car is when you are transporting it.
- Wherever you store butane cans, it should be a well-ventilated area.
- Do not store them in low-level areas like basements.
- Keep butane canisters locked away and out of the reach of children or pets.
The Importance of Disposing of Butane Properly
The next thing to note is the extreme flammability of butane.
In the United States, regulating bodies like OSHA and the EPA deem it a hazardous material.
This means improper storage and disposal can not only pose a risk to your health but also to the environment.
Contents under Pressure
Because butane cans are under pressure, the longer a can sits the more the pressure increases over time.
This also means the product disintegrates and releases into the air.
Therefore, even the smallest spark can cause a major explosion.
This is true even if the can is empty, the smallest amount can trigger a devastating fire.
Be Mindful with Disposal
So, it’s not advisable to put it in with the regular trash, weekly recycling bin or dump it in the nearby woods or river.
Butane can pose a serious danger to the surrounding environment, including animals.
You run the risk of causing a forest fire, poisoning, water contamination and other avoidable tragedies.
Be as conscientious, responsible and mindful about disposing butane cans as possible.
Any misstep could be dangerous to you and everything in the vicinity.
Method for Disposing of Used Butane Cans
When butane burns, it emits carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons into the area.
So, when you’re getting ready to dispose of the cans, you want to air out and burn off as much of the leftovers as possible.
Puncturing ; Releasing
With a solid pair of gloves and a sturdy, pointy puncturing implement, like a screwdriver or similar tool, put a hole into the side of the canister to compress it.
You have to do this carefully by cracking open the canister’s bottom rim so the vapors can escape.
Doing this releases the remaining gas and reduces the risk of injuries.
So, it’s a crucial step in the disposal process. If you don’t do this, the canister may combust.
Burn Off the Excess
Then, let it burn off. You could use it at this point to cook or heat something so the hydrocarbons will go toward a useful purpose, thereby reducing any potential environmental harm.
Allow this to burn until there’s nothing left to support the fire.
Recycling Butane Canisters
Next, find a hazardous waste recycling center for households.
Try to locate the closest one to your location to reduce possible dangers during transport.
Take note though, that if you have a damaged canister or your canister exceeds 25 gallons or 220 pounds, you might have to take it to an industrial hazardous waste management site.
Most local recycling places won’t take large or damaged canisters.
It’s ideal to take it to the recycling center right after puncturing and burning off the excess.
However, if you have to keep it until a later time, store it away from the regular trash and recycling.
If possible, put it in a plastic or gas-proof bag and clearly label it.
This will help seal leaking or escaping butane.
Conclusion
Butane can be a very helpful and useful solvent, providing fuel for a plethora of things like campsite cooking, refrigeration and fragrance distillates.
But, being smart and wise about butane storage and disposal is imperative.
It’s not a difficult thing to do, but it is a delicate operation.
You want to ensure you don’t unintentionally cause an explosion, a fire or damage the surrounding environment, including animals that frequent the area.
This means keeping butane cans, used and unused, indoors in a dry, cool area.
Don’t put them in direct sunlight, heat, electricity or store them in the basement.
