Helium and Oxygen Tanks

Do not put helium or oxygen tanks in your curbside recycling or trash.
 

Helium Tanks

Empty helium balloon tanks purchased from a retail store should be punctured and recycled at a local scrap metal yard. You may receive a rebate. Follow the disposal instructions that came with the tank or see these instructions from Balloon Time.

Helium tanks are not accepted in Cuyahoga County's household hazardous waste disposal program.

Oxygen Tanks

Medical cylinders should be disposed of or recycled through the company it was purchased or received from. Check with your medical supplier for details about their takeback or exchange program. They will accept oxygen tanks that were purchased from them. 

SCUBA tanks should be returned to the dive shop, tank supplier, or place of purchase.

If you cannot return the oxygen tank to the supplier, recycle the empty tank at a scrap metal yard near you. AED Brands provides instructions for emptying oxygen tanks and preparing them for disposal and recycling. Determine if the tank is aluminum or stainless steel (magnets stick to stainless steel, not aluminum) then find a scrap metal yard by searching the Yellow Pages with your zip code. Call ahead to confirm that they accept stainless steel or aluminum tanks. Locally, you can also try ABC Fire and Airgas Cleveland for cylinder recycling options. 

Oxygen tanks are not accepted in Cuyahoga County's household hazardous waste disposal program.

Other Tanks

Learn more about propane tanks.

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Looking to recycle, donate or dispose of other items? Use the dark blue 'What Do I Do With?' search bar at the top of every page of this website. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.