Recycling Information

Disposal Instructions for Coleman® Propane Cylinders with the Green Key® tool

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Coleman® has patents pending on a new industry-changing development called the Green Key® tool that will allow consumers to durably mark the propane cylinder as empty for steel recyclers. Beginning Spring 2008, most Coleman® produced propane cylinders will have a Green Key® tool along with a second instruction label that details how to properly use the system.

Contact your local steel recycler to verify they will accept Coleman® Propane Cylinders with the Green Key® tool for recycling. Below are the instructions on how to properly use the Green Key® tool on an EMPTY 16.4 oz. propane cylinder.

WARNING: The Coleman® Green Key® tool must be used on an empty propane cylinder and must be attached in a clear and open outdoor area. Keep away from open flames or other sources of ignition, tents, building, and other structures. Failure to follow all instructions and warnings could result in fire, burns, property damage, serious injury, or death.

To use the Coleman® Green Key® tool:

First ensure the propane cylinder is EMPTY by following these instructions:

Take the EMPTY cylinder outdoors away from any open flame or ignition source as they can ignite leaking gas.
Attach the EMPTY cylinder to an appliance.
In an outdoor, well-ventilated area, open the control valve on the appliance and light the burner(s).
Operate the appliance until the flame completely extinguishes.
Turn the appliance control valve off and let appliance cool.
Detach the EMPTY cylinder.

Then follow these instructions to activate the Coleman® Green Key® Tool:

Use the appliance cylinder probe (fig. 1) to push the Green Key® tool from the black cap.
Place EMPTY cylinder upright onto level outdoor surface away from any open flame or ignition source and push the Green Key® tool into cylinder valve (fig. 2).
Allow two minutes before recycling or disposal.
When the cylinder is empty, use of the Green Key® tool is unlikely to produce the sound of escaping fuel or the smell of fuel vapor. If the cylinder warms, you may hear or smell vapor escaping for a brief moment.
The Green Key® tool is now permanently locked into the top of the cylinder and indicates the cylinder is empty, depressurized, and ready for proper steel recycling or disposal.
Do not reinstall the black cap on to the propane cylinder. Recycle cap separately.
Recycle the EMPTY cylinder according to your local steel recycler's instructions.
If a propane cylinder recycling program is not yet offered by your local steel recycler, dispose of the EMPTY cylinder in an outdoor trash container for the next normal trash collection.

Disposal Instructions for Coleman® Propane Cylinders without the Green Key® tool

Unfortunately, residential recycling programs for propane cylinders are not yet available in many areas. If a propane cylinder recycling program is not yet offered by your local steel recycler, below are instructions to properly dispose of an EMPTY 16.4 oz. propane cylinder.

CAUTION: Read and follow instructions and warning on the propane cylinder before disposal to avoid serious injury or death!

To properly dispose of an EMPTY 16.4 oz. propane cylinder:

Take the EMPTY cylinder outdoors away from any open flame or ignition source as they can ignite leaking gas.
Attach the EMPTY cylinder to an appliance.
In an outdoor, well-ventilated area, open the control valve on the appliance and light the burner(s).
Operate the appliance until the flame completely extinguishes.
Turn the appliance control valve off and let appliance cool.
Detach the EMPTY cylinder.
Dispose of the EMPTY cylinder in an OUTDOOR trash container for the next normal trash collection.

Information contained on this webpage is specific to the U.S.A.