Non-refillable Cylinder Recycling:
Worthington Cylinders’ Perspective
About Worthington Cylinders
• Leading global producer of pressure cylinders
• Division of Worthington Industries
• Ten manufacturing facilities in North America
and Europe
Pomona, California
Columbus, Ohio
Westerville, Ohio
Jefferson, Ohio
New Albany,
Mississippi
Chilton, Wisconsin
Tilbury, Ontario
Portugal
Czech
Republic
Austria
Worthington Recent Recycling
Activities
• 2002 - 2004 Participant Propane Tank Summit.
• 2005 Co-Sponsor mobile cylinder recovery and
recycling trailer.
• Over 19,000 tons of steel is projected to be
recycled by Worthington Cylinders plants in
North America in 2009.
• Sponsor of public recycling initiatives.
• Engineering staff actively pursuing safe
convenient recycling program for non-refillable
cylinders.
• Engaged in exploratory activity with a major
retailers to identify potential cylinder recycling
paths that would be easily accessible for
consumers.
Disposable Cylinders
Product Descriptions
• Portable, convenient fuel gas source contained in small steel
cylinder.
• Portable, helium gas source for balloon inflation.
• Portable, refrigerant recovery and collection cylinder primarily used
in the commercial HVAC industry.
• Cylinders are manufactured and shipped in accordance with U.S.
Department of Transportation regulations.
• Cylinders are not intended for re-use. Regulations prohibit the
transportation of cylinders that have been refilled. NFPA 58
prohibits refilling of disposable cylinders.
Product History
Disposable propane
• Developed in the early 1950’s for use with portable hand torches for
heating, soldering, brazing.
• Used with camping appliances such as heaters, lanterns and stoves
beginning early 1970’s.
• Two disposable cylinder manufacturers:
– Worthington Cylinders: Chilton, WI facility since 2005. Prior to
2005, Western Industries operated the facility, dating back to the
early 1960’s.
– Coleman Company: facility in Wichita, KS
Today’s Reality
Non-refillable Disposable Gas Cylinders
• Tens of millions of fuel gas cylinders are sold annually. Well over
half are used outdoors in camping related activities.
• Up to 30,000 tons of potentially recyclable material is discarded
each year. (At roughly 1 pound of steel per unit)
• Most jurisdictions governing solid waste allow general disposal on
non-refillable cylinders.
• Handling and recovery activity must comply with federal and state
regulations and procedures (DOT, DNR, OSHA, EPA and local fire
officials).
• Controls are necessary to assure safety and environmental
responsibility in the workplace, community and during transportation.
Today’s Disposal Methods
• Government organized “Clean Sweeps”
• Local Household Hazardous Waste drop off locations
• Private service companies specializing in safe recovery and
recycling
• State Park drop points
• Household trash for curbside pickup
• Littering or other improper disposal
Future Disposal Methods
• Manufacturer take back?
• Curbside collection?
• Retail take back?
• Household Hazardous Waste?
• Private entrepreneurs and cylinder recertifier locations?
• Exchange facilities?
• Other
Exercise
Define the pros and cons of
each potential disposal path.
Manufacturers Take Back
Possible Options
Manufacturers take
back
Curbside collection
Retail take back
Household
hazardous waste
Private
entrepreneurs and
cylinder recertifier
locations
Exchange facilities
Pros
Cons
• Regulatory
• Few locations
understanding
• Increased cost
• Product knowledge
Curbside Collection
Possible Options
Manufacturers take
back
Curbside collection
Retail take back
Household
hazardous waste
Private
entrepreneurs and
cylinder recertifier
locations
Exchange facilities
Pros
• Very convenient
• Current programs
exist for nonhazardous waste
Cons
• Potentially unsafe
• Product education
• Haz-Mat
transportation
• Un-regulated
industry
• Employee/communi
ty safety
Retail take back
Possible Options
Manufacturers take
back
Curbside collection
Retail take back
Household
hazardous waste
Private
entrepreneurs and
cylinder recertifier
locations
Exchange facilities
Pros
• Retailer
controlled
• Convenient
Cons
• Increased
complexity
• Lack of regulatory
knowledge
• Public safety
• No Haz-Mat
transportation
• Increased cost
Possible Options
Manufacturers take
back
Curbside collection
Retail take back
Household
hazardous waste
Private
entrepreneurs and
cylinder recertifier
locations
Exchange facilities
Household Hazardous
Waste
Pros
• Current programs
established
Cons
• High cost to
manage
• Limited budget
• Inconvenient
locations
• Limited bulk
transportation
ability
• Dependent on
private service
industry
Possible Options
Manufacturers take
back
Curbside collection
Retail take back
Household
hazardous waste
Private
entrepreneurs and
cylinder recertifier
locations
Exchange facilities
Private Entrepreneurs &
Cylinder Recertifier
Locations
Pros
• Established
processes
• Understanding of
safety
requirements
• Educated
employees
Cons
• Few locations
• Lack funding
• Inconsistent
recovery methods
to reduce cost
• Lack haz-mat
transportation
fleet
Exchange facilities
Possible Options
Manufacturers take
back
Curbside collection
Retail take back
Household
hazardous waste
Private
entrepreneurs and
cylinder recertifier
locations
Exchange facilities
Pros
• Convenient drop
locations
• Developed
infrastructure
requirements
• Currently recovering
and recycling larger
cylinders
• Educated staff
• Safety understanding
• Experience with
flammable gasses
Cons
• Operating cost
Conceptual Disposable Cylinder
Life Cycle
Manufacturer
Retailer
Recycler
Convenient
Drop Points
Consumer
Recovery
Summary
Worthington Cylinders has been actively pursuing
convenient options for non-refillable cylinder
recycling.
– Consulting with recycling industry experts.
– Traveling North America and European facilities to
define best practices for recycling and recovery.
– Supporting activities at National Parks to maintain a
clean environment.
– Working with state and local agencies to initiate and
research pilot programs.
Next Steps
•
•
•
•
Define the details of a recovery and recycling program.
Develop criteria for a pilot program.
Understand risk and rewards.
Understand the economics of a program.