If you run a party business, or if you’re a party animal who likes to throw awesome get-togethers at your house, you’ve probably come into contact with helium tanks before. These heavy-duty gas canisters are essential for providing that distinctive high-pitched voice and squeaky toy effect when speaking, as well as giving whacky sound effects in general. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about disposing of a helium tank safely and responsibly.
How To Dispose Of A Helium Tank?
Find a helium recycler nearby
If you’ve used a helium tank a few times, you may find it has accumulated a bit of residue on the inside. This is normal and harmless, but it can make the tank less efficient. When this happens, the best way to dispose of the tank is to find a helium recycler nearby. These companies use special machines to clean out the tanks, making them as good as new. As an added benefit, you can get credit for any extra helium inside the tank. This can come in handy if you need to rent another tank for a party or event.
Throw it away at your local landfill
If you don’t have an easy way to get to a helium recycler, you can always throw the tank away at your local landfill. Because the tank may contain traces of Helium, it is best to put it in a recycling bin or a bag marked “Helium” to avoid any confusion. It’s also a good idea to go to the customer service desk and ask them to mark it as Helium on the manifest to make sure it gets to the right place. While this may not seem like a best practice, you can rest assured that the helium tank will be properly disposed of. Landfills have strict regulations around what they can and can’t accept, and they would not allow a helium tank to be disposed of inappropriately. It’s also important to note that you don’t have to throw the entire tank away. You can take the metal out and recycle that.
Has it evaporated by a professional service?
If you’re a business that regularly uses helium tanks, you may have a hard time getting rid of them because of space or cost limitations. In this case, you can have the tank evaporated by a professional service. They will remove the helium inside the tank and recycle the tank itself. This is a great solution for businesses that need a convenient and cost-effective way to dispose of regular helium tanks. It’s also a great option for businesses that rent tanks regularly and have no way to dispose of them onsite. Keep in mind that this will cost more than throwing the tank away or having it recycled.
Bury it in your backyard
If you live on a piece of property that is not near any waterways or wildlife habitats, burying the tank may be the best way to dispose of it. This is a good option if you need to get rid of a large number of helium tanks at one time. Just make sure that you are on a piece of property that has good drainage. You don’t want a nearby river or stream to become contaminated by the buried tanks. You should also make sure the ground is at least 6 feet below the surface to ensure the tank can’t be reached by any curious passersby.
Donate it to a school or non-profit organization
If you have a helium tank collecting dust in your garage or storage unit, consider donating it to a school or non-profit organization. These types of organizations will often have several uses for a helium tank, including science experiments and special events. Many non-profit organizations have donation request forms online where you can leave your information if you have an extra tank you would like to donate. You can also call the organization directly and ask if they have any use for an old helium tank.
Why Is Disposing Of Helium Tanks So Important?
Helium is a Dangerous Material
When handling pressurized gas cylinders, safety precautions should always be taken into account. Gas cylinders contain extremely flammable material, and if they are not stored and handled properly, they can cause a lot of damage. While helium is naturally non-toxic, it can cause a lot of damage to people and the environment if not disposed of properly. If it is not properly handled, it can cause: – Death due to asphyxiation – Fire, and explosion due to unsupervised discharging of the cylinder – Damage to the environment due to leakage of the helium
Disposing of Helium Tanks is a Safety Measure
Disposing of helium tanks is a safety measure that can be both dangerous and costly. This is why you should always find a responsible and environmentally conscious helium tank disposal option. Disposing of your helium tanks is important because you never know when they will be accidentally mishandled. If a helium tank is not properly discharged, it can be incredibly dangerous. Not only can it cause damage to property, but it can also cause serious injury to people and pets. For example, if a helium tank is accidentally dropped or if the pressure inside the tank rises, it can cause a loud noise. These noises can be very alarming, especially if you don’t know what is causing them. If you are not careful with your helium tank, you may accidentally squirt the gas or even drop the tank, causing it to break.
Helium is a Non-Renewable Resource
The helium we use is obtained from natural sources like radioactive decay from rock formations, ocean currents, and wind. It is non-renewable and finite, and it is estimated that reserves will be depleted by the year 2095. As helium is extracted from the ground, it is put into pressurized underground storage sites. Once it is in these underground storage locations, it can take up to 50 years to be released and used. This means that the helium that is being used today was extracted up to 50 years ago. This means that we are approaching the point where helium will be depleted and no longer available to be used. This makes it even more important to responsibly dispose of your helium tanks.
There Are Many Ways to Dispose of Helium Tanks Responsibly
There are many ways to responsibly dispose of your helium tanks. Some of the most common ways to dispose of your helium tanks include: – Donate them to science museums or schools – This is an excellent way to get rid of your helium tank. You can donate it to a science museum or school, where it will be used for educational purposes. – Sell or trade them – You can also sell or trade your helium tanks if you have an extra one at home. Many businesses, such as party supply stores, may be willing to buy or trade for an extra tank. – Find a helium tank recycling program – You can also find a helium tank recycling program in your area. This is a great way to responsibly dispose of your helium tanks because the helium will be recycled and used again.
Where To Find A Scrap Dealer That Takes Helium Tanks?
- If you have a large helium tank that you need to dispose of, a good place to start is by searching online for scrap dealers in your area.
- Most scrap dealers will offer to pick up large helium tanks, as well as other industrial scrap, so you don’t have to worry about transporting them.
- As scrap dealers often buy large quantities of different materials, they are likely to be able to offer you a good price for your tank.
When And Why You Shouldn’t Dispose Of A Helium Tank?
- While it is generally the safest and most responsible thing to do, there are circumstances where you might decide not to dispose of your helium tank.
- For example, if you have a very small, non-industrial tank, you may be able to dispose of it safely by taking it to your local recycling center.
- However, if you have a large tank, or you don’t know what to do with it, you should definitely go ahead and get it scrapped by a scrap dealer.
Conclusion
If you own a helium tank, it’s important to know how to dispose of it properly. Helium is an inert gas, but it is very flammable. When the tank is emptied and the pressure is released, the helium inside will freeze and become solid. If these liquid helium tanks are not disposed of correctly, they can pose a significant risk. The best way to dispose of a helium tank is to put it in a fire-proof bag and then bury it. This will help ensure that the tank does not leak and that no one is hurt from potential exposure to the gas.
