Who takes propane tanks? 20 lb grill vs 1 lb camping (unofficial)

Exchange cages, HHW acceptance, and which sizes a county will take change. Confirm on the official page the morning you go. This page is unofficial and not the county. Not a hauler. Not Blue Rhino. Not AmeriGas. Not Coleman. This is the national propane explainer — the Montgomery County geo tires/propane page is a different lookup. We do not scrape or clone Blue Rhino, AmeriGas, Coleman, or Earth911 databases.

Which kind is it?

1. 1

   20 lb grill tank you still want to use (empty or nearly empty)?

   Exchange or refill · retail cage

   Blue Rhino: Drop, Swap, and Go at a Propane Finder location (or text FIND to 75653). AmeriGas: exchange at partner retailers / kiosks, or some retailers refill; use the location finder for services at that site. Transport upright, valve closed, well-ventilated vehicle (AmeriGas transport tips). Never bring tanks inside the store (Blue Rhino how-it-works).

2. 2

   20 lb grill tank you no longer need (recycle / dispose)?

   Blue Rhino recycle · or AmeriGas drop-off

   Blue Rhino recycling tips (updated 2026.03.16): write R or RECYCLE on the tank → any non-Vending Blue Rhino location → if an empty spot is in the display, notify a store employee; if no space, try another non-Vending location. They refurbish when possible or recycle. AmeriGas: never trash; exchanging is easiest, or drop off at most propane refill or exchange locations. Cuyahoga Recycles example: free recycle for any standard 20 lb grill tank (any brand) at Blue Rhino or AmeriGas cages — follow cage instructions. Fee for pure recycle drop (no exchange purchase): Blue Rhino says no cost to you for recycle; confirm at the store.

3. 3

   1 lb / 14–16 oz camping or torch cylinder (Coleman-style, usually non-refillable)?

   Local solid waste / HHW · not the 20 lb cage

   Coleman FAQ: 16 oz All-Purpose cylinders are not refillable; empty cylinders are recyclable but each city/municipality sets the rule — use CylinderSafe / Coleman FAQ to find your local solid waste authority. Safety: empty cylinders may still hold fuel vapors — do not puncture. Cuyahoga Recycles: few options for ≤2 lb canisters; most scrap yards refuse; prefer appointment with the solid waste district (they discourage trash even when “empty”). Montgomery County, PA: HHW events accept mini camping cylinders only — not larger tanks at HHW. Do not assume the Blue Rhino 20 lb cage takes 1 lb cylinders — not stated on Blue Rhino recycle tips (those steps name 20 lb).

4. 4

   Helium, oxygen, welding, medical, or other compressed-gas cylinder?

   Return to supplier · or local program

   Cuyahoga Recycles: refrigerant, welding, and medical cylinders through the company that supplied them; local gas suppliers (e.g. Airgas) may help. MoCo How Do I also lists oxygen / CO₂ / helium / acetylene size ranges at the Transfer Station Recycling Area — see the geo tires/propane page. Not invented as a national store list.

5. 5

   Thinking trash, blue bin, scrap metal, or landfill?

   Usually no

   AmeriGas: cannot throw propane tanks in regular trash. Blue Rhino: do not take tanks to landfill/recycling without checking acceptance. Cuyahoga: never curbside recycling. Residual pressure = fire/explosion risk for workers. MoCo How Do I: pressurized tanks refused in blue bin and curbside scrap metal (geo page).

6. 6

   Montgomery County, MD resident?

   Geo page · Transfer Station pad · not HHW

   Use tires / propane (geo) or live mocodropoff.com/tires-propane. How Do I material key 36: Recycling Area, hand to attendant upper lot near electronics; propane 1–100 lb; prefer vendor return. HHW refuses compressed gas cylinders. This national page does not invent MoCo Sunday gates or pad clocks.

Size → path (national pattern)

National exchange / recycle fee as a single posted price: not stated beyond Blue Rhino’s “no cost to you” recycle language and the separate cost of buying an exchanged full tank — confirm at the retailer. Last-checked 13 Sep 2026.

Where to go (program info — not a store list)

Bring this / prep

• Know the size: 20 lb grill vs ~1 lb / 14–16 oz camping vs other gas types.
• Unwanted 20 lb recycle (Blue Rhino): write R or RECYCLE; use a non-Vending location; tell an employee if the cage has a free slot.
• Exchange: keep tanks outside the store; upright transport; valve closed (Blue Rhino / AmeriGas).
• 1 lb: do not puncture; check local solid waste / HHW before you drive (Coleman).
• Prefer return-to-vendor / exchange when the tank is still usable.
• MoCo: proof of residency and attendant hand-off live on the geo tires/propane page.

Not here / caution

• A scraped list of Blue Rhino, AmeriGas, or Earth911 stores (use the locators).
• Invented national exchange prices, star ratings, or “we tested” claims.
• Assuming every HHW takes 20 lb tanks (many refuse large tanks; some take only mini camping cylinders).
• Assuming MoCo HHW takes propane (it refuses; Transfer Station pad does).
• Puncturing or cutting cylinders (Coleman: do not puncture; explosion risk even when “empty”).
• Trash or curbside recycling as a default path (AmeriGas / Blue Rhino / Cuyahoga).
• Meds / sharps pages (YMYL — not this site).

Official sources

• Blue Rhino — How to Recycle Your Unwanted Propane Tank (R / RECYCLE; non-Vending; last updated 2026.03.16)
• Blue Rhino Propane Finder (link only — no scrape)
• Blue Rhino — How exchange works
• Blue Rhino — Contact (800-258-7466)
• AmeriGas — Buy, exchange, or dispose
• AmeriGas — Propane near me (link only — no scrape)
• Coleman Portable Propane — FAQ / CylinderSafe (1 lb not refillable; do not puncture)
• Cuyahoga Recycles — Propane tanks (20 lb cages vs small canisters pattern)
• Montgomery County, PA — Propane tanks (HHW: mini camping only — example, not MoCo MD)
• Earth911 locator (link only — no scrape)
• MoCo How Do I — small tanks / propane (geo)
• mocodropoff.com/tires-propane (live MoCo geo)