Free Reusable Propane Cylinders: A Sustainable Solution in Victorville, CA

The City of Victorville, CA is offering an opportunity for High Desert residents to acquire a complimentary reusable and refillable one-pound propane cylinder. This initiative will take place at the City of Victorville Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (HHWCC) on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 8 AM to 12 PM, or until supplies last. The HHWCC is conveniently situated on Loves Lane, accessible via Desert Knoll Drive, positioned behind the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds.

To obtain a free reusable propane cylinder, residents have two options. They can either bring in an empty single-use one-pound propane cylinder for proper disposal or they can pledge to cease using disposable single-use cylinders. It’s important to note that only one-pound propane cylinders will be accepted during this special event; no other household hazardous waste products will be accommodated.

This event is made possible through collaboration between the Mojave Desert & Mountain Recycling Authority, the City of Victorville, and the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC). Funding for this initiative is derived from a grant provided by CalRecycle, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.

Every household has the opportunity to receive a single free reusable cylinder. For more details about this event, residents can contact the City of Victorville Environmental Programs Division at (760) 955-8615.

As the 2023 camping season continues, the Mojave Desert and Mountain Recycling Authority is promoting the concept of “Refuel Your Fun.” This entails using reusable propane canisters instead of disposable alternatives for camping and other recreational activities.

The commonly used one-pound propane gas cylinders power a range of devices including camping stoves, portable heaters, lanterns, showers, boat engines, scooters, and lawn care equipment. While convenient, disposing of single-use cylinders becomes problematic. These cylinders should be taken to a local household hazardous waste collection center or designated collection bins in parks and campgrounds for proper disposal. Unfortunately, improper disposal like placing them in regular trash or recycling bins can lead to fires or explosions when crushed or compacted.

Even when handled correctly at hazardous waste centers, disposing of these cylinders incurs significant costs, ranging from $2 to $15 per unit, encompassing transportation, gas recovery, and recycling for scrap metal. These expenses are typically borne by local governments and parks.

As an example, Joshua Tree National Park deals with the disposal of over 700 undesired one-pound cylinders on a weekly basis from its campgrounds, leading to significant expenses. The Victor Valley Materials Recovery Facility, which caters to residents of High Desert and the San Bernardino Mountain region, has encountered instances of baler fires, possibly triggered by canisters exploding.

The U.S. Department of Transportation prohibits the refilling of single-use one-pound propane cylinders to prevent fire hazards. An accompanying safety video provides insights into the risks associated with refilling non-refillable cylinders.

Residents of Victor Valley can dispose of unwanted one-pound propane cylinders at the City of Victorville HHWCC on Loves Lane, behind the County Fairgrounds, during regular hours on Wednesdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extra collection centers can be found in Apple Valley and Hesperia. For more details regarding hours and locations of other hazardous waste centers, individuals can contact San Bernardino County Fire at 1-800-645-9228.

Through collaboration with the Refuel Your Fun Campaign, the Mojave Desert and Mountain Recycling Authority have received a CalRecycle grant aimed at educating residents about proper one-pound propane cylinder handling and the benefits of reusable options. An educational video, lasting 45 seconds, features an interview with a State Parks Ranger, discussing the risks associated with mishandling one-pound propane cylinder waste.

Switching to reusable and refillable one-pound propane cylinders offers residents the potential to save money, decrease waste, lower disposal costs, and conserve resources. Several locations in the High Desert offer refilling or exchanging of these cylinders, including the U-Haul in Barstow (refill), U-Haul locations at 14598 Palmdale Road and 15811 Lorene Drive in Victorville (refill), Apex Rental in Victorville (refill), Vagabond Welding in Yucca Valley (refill), Valero Gas in Needles (exchange), and the Mobil Station in 29 Palms (exchange). For a comprehensive list of addresses and locations providing one-pound propane cylinder refills or exchanges, individuals can visit www.refuelyourfun.org or contact Info@calpsc.org.

Refuel Your Fun is actively enlisting additional refill locations for propane cylinders. Retailers interested in participating in the program can reach out to CPSC at Info@calpsc.org for further details.