How to Dispose of a Helium Tank

Helium tanks are commonly used to inflate balloons for birthday parties, weddings, or other special events. Many homeowners and business owners have their own personal helium tank. If your helium tank becomes old or empty, you may realize that you are unsure of how to safely dispose of it.

What is helium? Helium is a chemical element that belongs to the noble gas group and is often found in natural gases.  This gas is not just used to inflate balloons but is also used for medical and scientific reasons. Helium is not explosive and is noncombustible, which means it cannot burn. However, if it is not disposed of properly, the pressurized helium tank can put waste workers in danger.

• Hammer
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Protective gloves
• Safety glasses
• Permanent marker

To begin, fully open the valve on the tank. Then, push down on the nozzle until the tank is empty.  The tank is empty when the hissing sounds stops. Unscrew the valve nut, and remove the nozzle. Wearing your protective gloves and goggles, place the tip of a flat-headed screwdriver on the rupture disc located on the shoulder of the tank. With the hammer, lightly tap the handle of the screwdriver to pierce the rupture disc. Next, circle the open hole and write “empty” on the tank. This will indicate that the tank no longer contains helium. Finally, dispose of the empty helium tank next to your garbage cart.

• Do not store the helium tank in damp areas. These conditions can cause the tank to rust, which can result in the tank bursting.
• Never expose the helium tank in direct heat. This can cause the tank to suddenly release pressure.
• Do not drop the helium tank on sharp objects. This will result in the tank being punctured, which will lead to abrupt discharge of helium.