Maine Lawmaker Wants a Better System for Throwing Out Explodable Propane Canisters

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Lawmakers aim to solve with a new bill to study the safe disposal of single-use propane canisters, which often still contain enough propane to cause an explosion if punctured. There currently is no central repository or list of places that take the one-pound, nonrefillable propane canisters, making it hit or miss for people who want to dispose of them responsibly.

“The problem of litter was one of the main motivators around it,” Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, said. “People don’t have an option or any convenient or efficient way of disposing of them, so they just end up being littered.”

Rana introduced the bill, which has six co-sponsors in the Maine Senate and House. The bill requires the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate the current infrastructure for disposing of single-use propane canisters and make recommendations for improvements to the environment committee by Dec. 3. Possible outcomes might be a trade-in program or outright banning of the single-use canisters.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com