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How to Get Rid of a Propane Tank in Austin, TX

Quick answer

Small 1-lb camping cylinders: book a free curbside household hazardous waste (HHW) pickup (ARR curbside customers, up to 3 per year). Curbside HHW takes propane cylinders only up to 1 lb.
Bigger tanks, like a 20-lb grill tank: Blue Rhino says you can write 'R' or 'RECYCLE' on it and leave it at a Blue Rhino exchange display, or swap it for a full one. The Recycle and Reuse Center lists 'propane cylinders' as accepted HHW (appointment only). Confirm size limits with 311 / 512-974-4343.
Don't put a propane tank in your bulk pile; Austin's bulk program excludes hazardous materials. Use HHW pickup, the drop-off center, or Blue Rhino.

Last checked: 2026-10-24 against the official sources below.

Your options

Option	Where / who	Details	Address	Hours	Fee	Residency	Source
Free city pickup	ARR on-demand HHW collection	Accepted HHW list includes 'Propane cylinders (up to 1 lb cylinders)'. The city's What Do I Do With tool lists HHW collection as the best option for propane tanks. Up to 3 HHW collections per address per calendar year.	At your home (not at the curb; out of sun and away from heat or flame)	Set out by 5:30 a.m. on your appointment date	Free with ARR curbside service	ARR residential curbside customers only (houses up to fourplexes)	source
Drop-off site	Recycle and Reuse Center (HHW drop-off)	'Propane cylinders' are on the center's accepted HHW list (no size listed). ARR's administrative rules exclude 'certain pressurized gas cylinders.' Ask about large or non-propane cylinders (helium, etc.) before you go: check with 311 / 512-974-4343.	2514 Business Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744	By appointment only. Specific hours: check with 311.	Free for Austin and Travis County residents; non-residents pay a service fee	Austin/Travis County residents (photo ID and a utility bill from the last 90 days per ARR rules). No business waste.	source
Store take-back	Blue Rhino tank exchange / recycle	Blue Rhino says to write 'R' or 'RECYCLE' on an unwanted gas-grill tank and take it to any Blue Rhino location. If the display has an empty spot, tell a store employee. Blue Rhino refurbishes the tank if it can, or recycles it if it fails their standards. You can also trade an empty tank for a full one (you pay for the full tank).	Blue Rhino retail locations (many grocery, hardware, and convenience stores)	Store hours	Recycling: no fee stated by Blue Rhino. Exchange: price of the new tank.	None	source
Donate / resell	Give away a usable tank	A tank in good condition can be given or sold to someone who will refill or exchange it. The Austin Reuse Directory lists local reuse options.	-	-	-	-	source
Paid haul-away	Private junk removal Get a quote from LoadUp	Many junk haulers won't take pressurized cylinders. Confirm before you book.	-	-	Paid; quotes vary	None	check with 311

Disclosure: The paid haul-away link may become an affiliate link. If it does, CurbRules may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you. Free city options are always listed first.

How to prep it

Transport cylinders upright and secured so they can't tip or leak (TCEQ HHW guidance).
Curbside HHW: only cylinders up to 1 lb, set somewhere crews can reach (NOT at the curb), out of rain and direct sun, away from heat, spark, or flame.
Large tanks to Blue Rhino: mark the tank 'R' or 'RECYCLE' and tell a store employee.
Don't put propane tanks in bulk collection (hazardous materials are excluded). For trash and recycling carts, check with 311.

Illegal dumping fines

Illegal dumping in Texas is a crime under Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 365.012. The penalty class depends on the amount: 5 lb or less (or 5 gallons or less) is a Class C misdemeanor (fine up to $500). More than 5 lb but under 500 lb (or more than 5 gallons but under 100 cubic feet) is a Class B misdemeanor (fine up to $2,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail). 500 lb to under 1,000 lb (or 100 to under 200 cubic feet) is a Class A misdemeanor (fine up to $4,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail). 1,000 lb or more (or 200 cubic feet or more) is a state jail felony. A repeat conviction moves up one class. A single mattress is likely over 5 lb, so that is at least a Class B offense. The City of Austin says offenders may also have to clean up the site, and property owners can be held responsible for cleanup.

Report illegal dumping to Austin 3-1-1 (call, app, or online) or the Regional Environmental Taskforce hotline at 1-877-NO-DUMPS (1-877-663-8677).

Sources: City of Austin Development Services: Illegal Dumping · TCEQ summary of Texas Health and Safety Code Ch. 365 penalties (PDF) · Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 365.012 · Texas Penal Code Ch. 12 (misdemeanor fine limits)

Official sources

Last checked 2026-10-24. Anything not confirmed by an official source is marked “check with 311.” Spot an error? Rules change, so always confirm with 3-1-1.

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