person cooking boil in a bag meals on a gas stove

What do you do with an empty gas cansiter?

Once you get to the end of your gas canister, you might be wondering what you should do with it. Strewn with warning labels, it can be confusing to know what to do. It's easier than you think. We'll break down what options you have to safely dispose of your empty canister.

Option 1: manufacturer recycling

The first thing to check is the canister manufacturers options for recycling. Although most common with large gas canisters, some brands offer a return and reuse system. This means you can return the used canister for the manufacturer to refill and reuse. In this case, the manufacturer should provide you with instructions on preparing and returning the used canister.

Option 2: recycle the canister yourself

camping gas canister

How to empty the remaining gas

  • First, head outside and connect your canister to your stove

  • Light the flame and let any remaining gas burn off

  • If you are struggling to light the flame but think there is still gas left inside, then you can invert the canister and stove to purge the remaining gas

Note: Inverting is only an option if you're using a remote canister stove, so the flame is not directly over the canister.

How to mark your canister as empty

MSR gas canister

Recycle according to your local authority guidance

The next step is to check your local authorities’ rules on recycling. You can take your canister down to your local recycling centre. Some councils will allow you to pop the canister straight into your normal mixed-metal recycling bin.

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