Where do Propane and patio gas cylinders go?

Most patio gas and forklift cylinders are the property of the gas company and are refilled indefinitely; the deposit system exists so they come back. Take an unwanted cylinder to any dealer for the brand, who will take it whether or not you want a refill. Non-refillable single-use cylinders and unbranded orphans go to the gas point at a household waste centre. A cylinder is a pressure vessel with residual gas in it under all circumstances, so it never goes in a bin, a skip or a scrap load. Local sites differ on which orphan cylinders they will accept, so check yours if the brand has no dealer nearby.

How to prepare it

1. Close the valve and fit the protective cap.
2. Take branded cylinders to any stockist of that brand.
3. Transport upright and secured, with a window open.

What not to do

• Never put a gas cylinder in a skip or scrap metal — it is a pressure vessel and it is treated as one when it fails.
• Never try to vent one deliberately.
• Never leave one in a hot car boot.

Kerbside collection rules genuinely vary by council and county, and local rules always win over general guidance. The reasoning above is what transfers — if your service differs, it will usually be for a reason described here.

Other things that go to shop or manufacturer take-back

• Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) Battery collection point — a supermarket or DIY store box, or the household waste centre. Never the kerbside bin.
• Lithium-ion batteries Battery or WEEE collection point only. A lithium cell in a bin lorry is a fire, not a littering problem.
• Vapes and disposable e-cigarettes A vape shop or supermarket take-back bin. It is electrical waste with a lithium cell inside, not litter.
• Mobile phones Wipe it, then trade it in, donate it or hand it to an electricals take-back point.
• Disposable coffee cups Not the kerbside bin. Take them to a shop cup collection point, or general waste — the lid and sleeve recycle separately.
• Button and coin cells Battery collection point. Tape them first — and keep them away from small children until they go.
• Coffee pods and capsules Brand take-back scheme if aluminium; general waste for most plastic pods. Compostable ones need a food waste collection.
• Rechargeable batteries (NiMH, NiCd) Battery collection point. NiCd cells contain cadmium and are hazardous waste in most jurisdictions.
• Laptops and computers Wipe the drive, then donate, trade in or take it to WEEE recycling. The battery makes binning it a fire risk.
• Printer cartridges Manufacturer freepost return or a shop collection box. Not the kerbside bin.
• Tyres Tyre fitter or household waste centre, usually for a small fee. They are banned from landfill in the UK and EU.
• Power banks and portable chargers Small electricals collection or a battery take-back point. It is a lithium cell in a plastic shell.
• Bubble wrap and postal air pillows Soft plastics collection at a supermarket, or reuse it. Not the kerbside bin.
• Toys and gadgets with batteries inside Take the batteries out and deal with them separately; the toy then goes in small electricals. Sealed ones go in whole.