SMALL GAS CYLINDERS PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP PROJECT. PROJECT SUMMARY April 7, 2003

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1 SMALL GAS CYLINDERS PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP PROJECT PROJECT SUMMARY April 7, 2003 BACKGROUND INFORMATION Non-refillable gas cylinders and canisters (containing anywhere from a few ounces to 4 pounds of liquid propane, propane/butane mix, helium, or other compressed gases) have been used for many years as portable sources of fuel for camping, hobbies, parties, and home repair. These cylinders are designed as single-use, and it is impossible to safely refill them as currently constructed. In addition, the only other alternatives disposal and recycling both pose problems. When the tanks are discarded with gas remaining, they have the potential to explode in garbage trucks or waste processing machinery. The design of the cylinders makes safe collection of any remaining gases extremely difficult, and venting the gases to open air will often contribute to air quality problems or create a fire hazard. Finally, while the materials in the cylinder are 100 percent recyclable, scrap dealers are often reluctant to take them. Not only do the cylinders have little economic value as scrap metal, they are labor intensive to de-valve and prepare for scrapping. PROPOSED PROBLEM STATEMENT Municipalities nationwide are struggling with the financial and logistical challenges of managing used gas cylinders entering the waste stream. The problem has become more pronounced with the introduction of disposable helium tanks, which are now available at many large retail outlets for use in party balloons. The increasing number of single-use gas cylinders in the waste stream causes problems financially, from a safety/environmental standpoint, and from a resource recovery perspective. FINANCIAL PROBLEMS: Cylinder disposal has the potential to be expensive for municipalities. There is a dearth of facilities that accept or prepare cylinders for scrapping. As a result, Sarasota County, Florida, for example, is obligated to pay high transportation costs ($150/drum) to a recycling facility in New York State, which adds to that cost a charge of $.75 per cylinder. Owing to the high management cost, Sarasota County does not advertise that it collects small gas cylinders. Even so, it still has enough brought to its permanent household 1

2 hazardous waste site that it has to ship out approximately two drums of cylinders every two months. RESOURCE RECOVERY: Manufacturers intend that consumers dispose of their empty cylinders in the regular household trash. Although this is one way to handle the cylinders, it is not ideal the steel is 100% recyclable, and can be recovered and reused. Many consumers recognize the value of the metal and attempt to recycle the cylinders in their household curbside program or at a drop-off recycling center. However, if municipalities try and deliver these containers to scrap dealers, they may find that steel recyclers do not want to accept them because of safety concerns around potential explosions and the low relative value of the metal. SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS: Cylinders that were filled with LPG (as opposed to helium) and still contain some gas pose safety risks when punctured. Waste-to-energy plants and waste handling companies are motivated to avoid any and all gas explosions, no matter how small. One waste company in Florida experienced an explosion from a 20-pound propane tank, and now will not take the disposable cylinders because of the potential for damage. If the gas is removed, it needs to be removed safely and then collected and handled appropriately, and few facilities are equipped to do this. Venting pressurized gases is not acceptable with a few exceptions (such as helium and oxygen) as many of them will deplete ozone or contribute to poor air quality or create a fire hazard. THE PROJECT Sarasota County, Florida, contracted with PSI to develop a product stewardship solution to the management of small, non-refillable gas cylinders. In its initial research for this project, PSI found that numerous other state and local agencies around the country have similar concerns. PSI s project is devoted to bringing key parties together to jointly solve problems related to the improper disposal of small gas cylinders. PSI will manage a results-oriented dialogue between representatives from cylinder manufacturers, state and local government, cylinder disposal services, educational programs, camping associations, and others. PROPOSED PROJECT GOALS The goal of this project is to safely keep gas cylinders in the recycling stream, and to develop end-of-life management options that result in lower, or no, management costs for local government and other stakeholders. The three main goal areas are: Reduce Environmental and Safety Risks: safely evacuate and collect gas. Increase Resource Recovery Value: Put recyclable product back into the recycling stream. Lower Cost: Lower cost to government and other stakeholders. Supporting Goals: Enhance the existing recycling infrastructure. Increase awareness of safe, economical, and environmentally responsible end-of-life management options among consumers, municipal officials, and other stakeholders. 2

3 PROPOSED ISSUES TO DISCUSS Define the Problem Consumers: (1) Who are the users of different types of single-use cylinders, and how do the cylinders get distributed to them? (2) What kind of messages are consumers currently receiving about cylinder use and disposal (from retailers, dealers, and municipalities)? (3) What prompts consumers to dispose of cylinders in their household trash, and what makes them bring the cylinders to the recycling area? What disposal options are available? Is there a need for improved consumer education? Waste Handling: (4) What kinds of systems currently exist for cylinder recycling? Who is responsible (financially and logistically) for these systems? (5) What incentives or disincentives are there for municipal programs to collect and recycle empty single-use cylinders? (6) Are there regulatory barriers to the use and recycling of these cylinders? Safety: (7) What are safety risks associated with recycling and/or reuse of cylinders? During collection/transport At waste-to-energy facilities To consumers (8) What is the proper way to prepare the tanks for recycling and to handle leftover gas? Identify Solutions 1) What actions are required to increase the recycling of cylinders? 2) What actions are required to decrease the safety risks associated with explosions of cylinders in municipal waste streams? 3) What potential exists for redesign of cylinders, either for multiple uses or for easy and safe retrieval of gas? 4) What obstacles prevent partially filled cylinders from being used in donation programs? 5) What incentives are needed to induce scrap dealers to accept cylinders? Evaluate Solutions 1) Which solutions are the most effective, feasible, and economical to implement? 2) Which key parties should have the responsibility for implementing solutions? 3) How will the solutions be funded? 3

4 PROCESS FOR ACHIEVING PROJECT GOALS PSI will use the following process to reach the project goals. This project began in mid- March and will be completed by the end of June I: Conduct Stakeholder Interviews II: Outline Issues and Develop Potential Actions III: Convene Stakeholder Meetings IV: Create Action Plan/Final Report Step I: Conduct Stakeholder Interviews Phase I is the interview phase. PSI will conduct limited research on the management of cylinders and prepare a Project Summary based on initial interviews with key stakeholders. The Project Summary will present background information on cylinder management and include a problem statement, project goals, key issues, and a description of the process. PSI will identify stakeholders involved with the manufacture, sale, use, collection, recycling, and disposal of gas cylinders. PSI will interview the stakeholders in order to introduce them to the project, obtain information for the final Action Plan, and determine their interest in participating in two stakeholder meetings. The interview process also provides an opportunity for the stakeholders to communicate their interests and perspectives regarding the nature of the cylinder management problem and any potential solutions. Step II: Outline Issues and Develop Potential Solutions In preparation for the stakeholder meetings, PSI will prepare a written summary of issues raised in the interviews, including information on existing collection programs, regulatory barriers, and consumer education efforts. The materials will also include a description and analysis of potential solutions. Step III: Convene Stakeholder Meetings PSI will convene two meetings in Tampa, Florida, with representatives from the key stakeholder groups. These meetings will be held in mid-may and mid-june. The proposed goals of the dialogue will be determined in Step I through the interviews with potential participants. Upon convening the dialogue, the group will review the goals and adjust them as necessary. PSI will aim to reach agreement on the roles and responsibilities of key participants as they relate to actions needed to reduce risk and increase the recovery of used gas cylinders. PSI will conduct limited follow up calls prior to the meetings to develop a meeting agenda and other preparatory materials. PSI will also manage and list serve communication prior to, and between, meetings. Prior to the first meeting, PSI will send the Issues and Potential Solutions document, along with a meeting agenda, a list of participants, and other pertinent information. Step IV: Create Product Stewardship Action Plan Following the two meetings, PSI will write a Product Stewardship Action Plan that includes information on safety and environmental issues regarding improper cylinder disposal, as 4

5 well as recommendations for next steps. The report will details any agreement(s) and summarize the two meetings. If any components of the agreement can be implemented immediately, PSI will assist in doing so. Other PSI Product Stewardship Projects PSI is currently involved in developing product stewardship solutions on the following products: electronics, paint, 20-pound propane tanks, and radioactive materials (e.g., nuclear gages and tritium exit signs). This year, PSI expects to also be involved in developing product stewardship solutions for pesticides and products containing mercury. Organization History and Mission PSI History: On December 6-7, 2000, the coordinated the nation s first forum for government officials to discuss product stewardship policies and programs. Over 100 government officials attended the two-day national Product Stewardship Forum, representing 19 states, 7 regions of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and a dozen local governments. At the forum, Secretary Bob Durand of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) announced the creation of the Product Stewardship Institute. The Institute was the first major initiative to emerge from an agreement signed in January 2000 by Secretary Durand and University of Massachusetts President William Bulger. PSI was created to provide a focal point for communication with product manufacturers and other key stakeholders rather than risk the random development of agency programs and regulations across the country. Mission Statement: The assists state and local government agencies in establishing cooperative agreements with industry and developing other initiatives that reduce the health and environmental impacts from consumer products. The Institute seeks out the active input from, and cooperates with, environmental groups, business interests, academic institutions, the federal government, and related organizations to achieve product stewardship goals. PSI Governance Structure: The following are members of PSI s Steering Council for fiscal year 2003 (ending June 30, 2003). The Council assists the Director in making decisions for the Institute and guides its development. Ken Geiser Gina McCarthy Jay Shepard Jan Whitworth Dennis Hansen Gretchan Ammerman Shirley Willd-Wagner Scott Klag Chris Luboff University of Massachusetts MA Executive Office of Environmental Affairs WA Department of Ecology OR Department of Environmental Quality MO Department of Natural Resources HI Department of Health CA Integrated Waste Management Board Metro Regional Government, OR Seattle Public Utilities, WA 5