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In an effort to reduce waste and promote safety, California has banned the sale of single use propane tanks. The ones targeted with the new law are the 1-pound cylinders that are often used to fuel portable outdoor cooking equipment like camp stoves.
Those small tanks can only be used once, so they are discarded after they’re used rather than being refilled like larger tanks. Disposal of them is a problem too because they are often thrown away with propane left in them.
This presents a safety hazard for anyone that handles the waste. On top of that, to dispose of the cylinders properly is expensive. It’s estimated that local governments spend around $3 million annually on disposal.
For years these propane cylinders have placed a great burden on our park systems, beaches, material recovery facilities, and local governments. With the signing of SB 1280 the taxpayers will no longer be responsible for cleaning up someone else’s mess. Signing SB 1280 will result in more reusable propane cylinders for consumers to refill which will lead to a cleaner and safer California.
California Senator John Laird
Banning single use tanks in California has been a topic for some time, but to make it easier for businesses and consumers, there’s a runway before the new law is implemented. It won’t take effect until 1/1/2028.
Options Available
Single use tanks will be going away in California, but there are refillable 1-pound tanks on the market. These work the same way as the disposable kind, but you can refill them with the same tank you’d use for a grill in the backyard.
It means a little more work, but it’s likely more cost effective for people that use them more frequently. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see more states in the future start to ban single use propane tanks.