RCRA Hazardous Waste (US, 40 CFR 261)
Empty compressed gas cylinders are not a federal hazardous waste under RCRA if properly depressurized and purged. They may be recycled as scrap metal. Cylinders with hazardous residual gas require specialized handling.
Also searched as: pressure containers, LPG bottles, propane cylinders
Have a compressed-gas-cylinders stream? See the dossier that replaces the feasibility study.
See the validation dossierNo federal hazardous waste code
Compressed Gas Cylinders does not carry a federal RCRA hazardous waste code. It is regulated as solid waste under state and local rules, and specifics depend on your state environmental agency.
Not being federally hazardous does not mean it has no value — clean compressed gas cylinders is often a recovered commodity with active buyers.
RCRA classifies waste by source, process, and characteristics — not just material. Pick the row that matches how your compressed gas cylinders arises; each coded row links to the full waste code definition under 40 CFR Part 261.
Cylinders with hazardous residual gas
Requires specialized hazardous waste contractor
Properly depressurized and purged cylinders
May be recycled as scrap metal after certification
Source: 40 CFR Part 261 — Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste
Compressed Gas Cylinders
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