Using gas cylinders is one thing, recycling them is another. We at SEMA Gases understand that recycling is important nowadays, so why not when it comes to gas cylinders? That’s why this blog post is dedicated to recycling gas cylinders.

Why recycle gas cylinders?

Pressurized gas cylinders can’t just be thrown away like your normal garbage. They are compacted and therefore present a danger. Before disposal of any kind, these gas cylinders should be depressurized. Most gas cylinders are made of aluminium or steel, which are both valuable materials. So recycling isn’t just better for our environment, also for reducing costs.

Can you recycle all gas cylinders?

This is where we need to divide the different types of gas cylinders. There are refillable and non-refillable gas cylinders. As the names reveal, they differ from each other by being able to be refilled. Refillable gas cylinders are manufactured to be refilled multiple times.

Non-refillable gas cylinders don’t have this ability. Recycling is of course a very broad concept. Refilling gas cylinders when they are empty, is recycling already since the cylinder is being used again. But what to do when these have reached their limit of being refilled? And what to do with empty non-refillable gas cylinders?

Recycling or disposal of gas cylinders?

To get back to the question we ended the last paragraph with, what to do with gas cylinders that can’t be refilled. The reason for this can be that they are simply non-refillable ones, or that refillable gas cylinders have reached their limit.

You have two options here:

• Recycle the gas cylinder. In this case, the materials in the gas cylinder will be recycled. Take it to a specialized company that will do this recycling for you.

• Dispose the gas cylinder. When recycling is, for whatever reason, not an option for you, the gas cylinder will have to be disposed.

Taking pressure off gas cylinders

When you choose to dispose your gas cylinders, we can help you out. Within EU countries, pressure-free non-refillable gas cylinders can be disposed of as regular waste. For non-EU countries, local authorities should be consulted for advice. There are different devices that can help with preparing gas cylinders to be disposed or recycled. To make sure a gas cylinder is pressure-free, the gas cylinder should be punctured and this has to be clear and visible from the outside.

SEMA Gases offers two devices to take pressure off gas cylinders are:

• Recycler.

• Low Torque Recycler.

Recycler manual

1. 1. Always wear safety glasses.
2. 2. Make sure the gas cylinder is totally empty. For more information, read EIGA IGC-document 30 “Disposal of Gases” on www.eiga.org.
3. 3. The device must be mounted on a stable surface with two M6 bolts (not included).
4. 4. Place the empty aerosol cylinder in the centre of the Recycler and slowly turn the lever clockwise until the cylinder is completely pierced. For safety, it is recommended to perform this work in a well-ventilated place, for example in a fume cupboard.
5. 5. After piercing the aerosol cylinder, slowly turn the lever counterclockwise, releasing the tool from the aerosol cylinder.

Low Torque Recycler manual

1. 1. Always wear safety glasses.
2. 2. Make sure the gas cylinder is totally empty. For more information, read EIGA IGC-document 30 “Disposal of Gases” on www.eiga.org.

1. 3. Use the Low Torque Recycler to make the gas cylinder pressure-free.

1. 4. Screw the recycler body into the tap with ISO 11118 marking until it is finger-tight.

1. 5. Turn the lever clockwise. If gas is released, go back to step 2.

1. 6. Continue to turn the lever clockwise, past the point where resistance is felt until you hear the valve body break and fall into the cylinder.

1. 7. Remove the tool by turning the handle counterclockwise.

Which to choose?

We at SEMA Gases understand if you’re not sure which device you need to take pressure off your gas cylinders. It’s our expertise, so don’t hesitate to ask about these devices. Don’t hesitate about any questions you have! Please ask them and let us advise you.