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.