Connecticut Introduces Producer Responsibility Law for Residential Propane Tanks

This is a first of its kind program here in the United States, where the responsibility to properly dispose of propane cylinders has been shifted from the consumer to the producer. Worthington Industries & other residential gas cylinder producers will hire qualified companies to pick up, transport, & recycle cylinders that are sold at retail locations in Connecticut. This is where Cylinder Recyclers comes into play; we have successfully recycled hundreds of thousands of 1 lb. propane cylinders & MAPP Gas tanks!

What Is Extended Producer Responsibility?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy framework that makes manufacturers and producers — rather than consumers or municipalities — responsible for the end-of-life management of their products. EPR programs have been used successfully across Europe and Canada for decades, covering products from electronics to packaging to batteries.

For propane cylinders, EPR is particularly significant. Small 1 lb. propane canisters are sold in the tens of millions across the U.S. every year for camping, grilling, and industrial use. When empty, most consumers don’t know how to safely dispose of them — leading to improper landfill disposal, dangerous puncturing attempts, and hazardous material violations. Connecticut’s law directly addresses this gap.

How the Connecticut Program Works

Under Connecticut’s law, residential gas cylinder producers — including Worthington Industries — are required to fund and operate a collection and recycling program for cylinders sold at retail in the state. This includes:

• Pickup: Hiring qualified companies to collect cylinders from designated drop-off locations across Connecticut
• Transportation: Ensuring cylinders are moved safely per DOT hazardous materials regulations
• Recycling: Contracting licensed processors to properly depressurize, disassemble, and recycle the metal components

Cylinder Recyclers has been doing exactly this work for years — with hundreds of thousands of 1 lb. propane cylinders and MAPP Gas tanks already successfully recycled.

Why This Matters for the Industry

Connecticut’s law represents a significant shift in how the U.S. approaches small cylinder waste. These cylinders are among the most commonly improperly disposed-of hazardous items in residential waste streams. They can cause fires at recycling facilities when crushed, contaminate landfills with residual propane, and pose risks to sanitation workers.

By shifting responsibility to producers, the law creates a financial incentive for manufacturers to design cylinders that are easier to recycle, fund proper collection infrastructure, and ensure correct disposal every time.

What’s Next: Will Other States Follow?

Connecticut’s EPR law for propane cylinders is being watched closely by legislators and industry players across the country. Several states — including California, Oregon, and New York — have active EPR legislation in various stages, and propane cylinders are increasingly being included in those discussions.

As this regulatory landscape evolves, businesses that handle, distribute, or use 1 lb. propane cylinders should stay informed. Partnering with a qualified recycler like Cylinder Recyclers ensures your operation is ready regardless of which states adopt similar programs.