Trails.com - Your Guide to the Outdoors
Your guide to the outdoors.

How to Recycle Old Fuel Canisters

Email Share
By Richard Thomas
How to Recycle Old Fuel Canisters
Portable camping stoves are a necessity for backpackers because state and national parks generally prohibit open campfires outside of designated areas. Many of these stoves rely upon disposable metal fuel canisters. What to do with these canisters after they are spent is an important issue for backpackers because so many are naturally concerned with environmental issues.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy
Things You'll Need:
  • Sharpie marker (Seattle only) Puncher tool, knife, screwdriver, ice pick or similar tool Rock, brick, hammer or something similar
  • Sharpie marker (Seattle only)
  • Puncher tool, knife, screwdriver, ice pick or similar tool
  • Rock, brick, hammer or something similar
Step 1
Check to see if your canister is reusable. Many portable stove bottles are designed so that they can be refilled. There is no cause to recycle the canister if you can refill it instead.
Step 2
Write "empty" on the side of the can and leave it in your recycling bin if you live in Seattle. This is one of the few areas of the country that will simply accept a spent fuel canister with no extra steps.
Step 3
Punch a hole in the side of the can, either using a specialized tool, a knife, screwdriver or some other strong, pointy tool. Leave the can for an hour or more in a well-ventilated space to allow any remaining fuel fumes or vapor to dissipate.
Step 4
Crush the can down to size if space in the recyling bin is an issue, or if this step is required by your local law. You can use a rock, brick or hammer. Smash the can up as if it were any other can.

Resources

About The Author

Richard Thomas has been writing since earning his M.A. in international affairs in 1997, frequently writes about hiking and scuba diving for Trails.com, and also works as the Budget Travel topic manager for eHow and the senior travel editor for Associated Content. His 2009 work on Portuguese hiking and artisanal cheeses has also appeared in print.
Write for Trails.com

Editor's Pick

Popular Article

Featured Video

How to Take Apart a Swiss Army Knife

How to Take Apart a Swiss Army Knife

The Swiss Army Knife is a traditional accessory for outdoor enthusiasts. It is sturdy and reliable for multiple everyday tasks. The knife appears rock-solid in its construction, but is actually fairly easy to take apart. Hobbyists do this to create custom knives by comb...

More Backpacking...
Bass Fishing Tips in November

Bass Fishing Tips in November

By the time November rolls around, most bass anglers have winterized their boats and, for the time being, forgotten about fishing. These fishermen believe the bass bite is done for the season, and choose to hunt or engage in some other outdoor activity. Some anglers cann...

More Freshwater Fishing...
Using Ski Trail Maps

Using Ski Trail Maps

Learn how to use ski trail maps and how to understand ski trail signs in this free beginner skiing lesson on video.

More Alpine Skiing...

Trail Finder

US Map

Search by Keyword