BBQ and Propane Tank Disposal in Vancouver: Do It Right

Every Vancouver patio season ends the same way for some grill: rusted burners, a seized igniter, and a decision to replace it. Getting rid of the old BBQ is easy. The propane tank attached to it is the part people get wrong - and it's the part that actually matters.

The Propane Tank: Never, Ever in the Garbage

A propane tank - even one that feels empty - is pressurized and flammable. Tanks in garbage trucks and transfer stations cause fires and explosions, which is why they're banned from all Metro Vancouver garbage, recycling, and landfill streams. "Empty" is not a loophole: residual propane and vapour make even a drained tank dangerous to compact or shred.

Where Propane Tanks Actually Go

**Exchange programs** - if the tank is in good condition, swap it at any tank-exchange retailer (gas stations, hardware stores) and the problem solves itself

**Refill stations** - some refill locations accept old tanks for a small fee

**Recycling depots that take pressurized cylinders** - select Metro Vancouver facilities accept propane tanks for safe depressurization and metal recycling

**Small camping canisters** - the little green 1 lb cylinders count too; they go to the same hazardous streams, never the garbage

If in doubt, call before you drive. Not every depot takes tanks, and the ones that do sometimes have quantity limits.

The BBQ Itself: Mostly Scrap Metal

Good news - a barbecue is one of the more recyclable things you own:

**Body, lid, and cart**: Steel and aluminum, straight to scrap metal recycling ([what metals are worth](/blog/scrap-metal-prices-what-metals-are-worth-money))

**Grates and burners**: Steel or cast iron, also recyclable

**Wheels, knobs, and side shelves**: The small plastic fraction that goes to disposal

A working BBQ in decent shape sells fast on Marketplace in spring and early summer. A rusted-out one has essentially no resale value - it's scrap.

What NOT to Do

1. **Don't put the tank out with the BBQ for any pickup without saying so** - haulers need to know a pressurized cylinder is involved

2. **Don't leave a BBQ in the alley** - illegal dumping fines apply, and grease-soaked grills attract rats

3. **Don't try to vent or puncture a tank yourself** - depressurization is a job for facilities equipped to do it

The Easy Route: One Pickup for the Whole Setup

If you don't want to disassemble a greasy grill and drive tanks around:

1. **Book a pickup** - (604) 358-2328 or get a quote, and mention the propane tank up front

2. **The crew hauls the BBQ, cart, and accessories** - along with any other patio junk going (summer cleanout checklist)

3. **Metal is recycled, the tank is routed to proper hazardous handling**

An old BBQ pairs well with a single item pickup, or fold it into a bigger garage or patio cleanout as a multiple item pickup.

The Bottom Line

Swap or properly recycle the propane tank - never bin it. The grill itself is scrap metal, so either haul it to a depot or book a pickup and send the whole setup off in one go before the new one arrives.

**Call (604) 358-2328** or request a free quote - BBQ, propane tank, and patio junk removal across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and the Lower Mainland.

BBQ and Propane Tank Disposal in Vancouver: Do It Right