Feature Article - for immediate release   

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent

 

Tanks for the Memories

Wednesday’s article on the Hazardous Waste Amnesty Day brought in several calls from some local residents and business people.  As a result, I’m going to have a good sized serving of humble pie for not checking my facts.  Here’s why:

Glades Gas is NOT accepting empty propane tanks.  They can’t afford to. 

 

Propane tanks that are not safe to refill have to be processed.  The first step is to remove any residual propane fuel, and it takes special equipment and talent to do this right.   Improper release of the gas into the atmosphere can result in an explosion because not only is propane under pressure, but it is also very flammable.  (Did you hear about the pipeline explosion down in Martin County earlier this week?)

Next the valve assembly needs to be removed.  It’s not as easy as it sounds, as the threads are backwards and if the valve is gummed up or rusted closed, it will take a trained talented mechanic some time to do this.  And time is money.

Then they have to be filled with water, and the vendor has to store them on their property until a scrap dealer can be contacted to come pick them up.  And then the vendor that has accepted the empties has to PAY to have them removed.

Glades Gas said they don’t have the room at their facility to do this, and they don’t have the money to pick up the tab for disposal costs.

So what can you do?

The best suggestions is to return the cylinder to the company you bought it from.  They might charge you a small fee to dispose of it – but remember – it is your waste.  Call and ask first, so you don’t go driving all over town with an empty gas tank.

Another option I found was to use the services of those propane tank swap services: your drop it off and it is replaced with a new, full tank.  One such company is called Blue Rhino.  I checked their website, and they have a location search feature online.  Type in our local zip code,  and it shows 14 local drop off sites.  Another company is Amerigas – a peak at their webpage shows 13 local sites.

  

Please dispose of this hazardous waste properly – there are options that are much better that abandoning the special waste materials.

And, I’ll be careful checking my sources and references next time.      If you need additional information, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu , check our webpage http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu  or call us at 863-763-6469.  Bee safe, and Go Gators.

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Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS /University of Florida, Millie Ferrer, Interim Dean. Last update: 05/07/2009.  This page is maintained by Dan Culbert