As the weather warms, thoughts turn to garden BBQ’s, camping trips or just enjoying a cool carbonated drink in the sunshine. However these moments of summer fun also create a potentially explosive kerbside recycling issue - yes, we’re talking about gas canisters!
Although your canister may feel empty, there’s usually some left over gas inside. If the canister is missed when the kerbside collections arrive at the recycling plant and makes its way to the baler, it can cause a huge issue.
The pressure needed to bale items forces gas bottles to split and explode, causing loud bangs and flash explosions. Luckily there is little air inside the baler to prevent fires, as flames in an area that also collects tonnes of paper recycling is not a great combination, but the flash explosions can still injure operatives. And it’s loud too!
Rogue gas canisters also waste time. Last summer a gas canister explosion at the Council’s Materials Recycling Facility set off the fire alarm system and shut down the whole factory. This resulted in a full evacuation and loss of production time whilst the staff waited outside for the all clear to return to work.
Please also be aware that gas canisters can’t go in your general waste either. Instead use these tips to work out your
next steps if you have an empty gas bottle at home:
- Return it – Many retailers and suppliers of gas bottles will allow you to return your gas bottle once used, so check when you buy
- To return or refill Calor Gas canisters visit: www.calor.co.uk/gas-bottles/advice/returns
- For LPG cylinders visit: www.liquidgasuk.org/domestic/lpg-cylinder-supply-and-return
- Reuse it – again, many gas bottle retailers and suppliers have facilities to refill your empty bottles to be used again
- Recycle it – unwanted empty bottles can be recycled at our Chelson Meadow Recycling Centre.
For more information on the Council’s recycling initiatives, as well as a list of what can be recycled from home or at your local recycling centres visit: www.plymouth.gov.uk/binsrecyclingandwaste/whatgoeseachbin