The following is a joint press release from Riverside County and the California Product Stewardship Council dated August 14, 2024:
BEAUMONT, CA — Californians commonly use 1-pound propane tanks for outdoor grills, heaters and lighting. Now, Riverside County residents can save money by purchasing and refilling reusable 1-pound propane tanks in their area.
On Friday, August 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Riverside County residents can pick up a FREE 1-pound reusable propane cylinder when they visit the Beaumont Home Center (1538 E 6th St, Beaumont, CA 92223) and sign a pledge to stop using disposable propane cylinders. The free cylinders are limited to one per household while supplies last.
“Events like this will help our citizens make the switch from disposable to refillable propane cylinders,” said Lisa Thompson, director of environmental assessment for Riverside County Waste Management, “and that could make a huge difference to our future waste stream.”
Californians use an estimated four million disposable cylinders each year. When purchasing a one-pound disposable propane cylinder, about 80% of the cost is packaging. Reusable cylinders can be refilled more than a hundred times and last more than 10 years. After the initial cylinder purchase, customers can pay for the gas refill when it runs out, or return the empty cylinder to the nearest exchange location and exchange it for a filled cylinder.
Propane cylinders are classified as household hazardous waste (HHW) by the State of California and should not be thrown in the trash. They must be taken to a designated collection point or receptacle. Single-use cylinders that are improperly disposed of can harm the environment, while reusable 1-pound propane cylinders can be refilled repeatedly and properly recycled after years of use.
Riverside County sponsors the award-winning ReFuel Your Fun & $ave! campaign, which encourages the use of reusable 1-pound propane cylinders instead of expensive and wasteful single-use cylinders. The campaign also provides information on the proper collection and recycling of 1-pound propane cylinders. For more information on the campaign, recycling empty cylinders, and other retailers offering reusable cylinders, visit www.refuelyourfun.org.
This program is funded by a grant from CalRecycle.
