Multi-Material B.C. says too many mini propane tanks like these and other types of compressed fuel canisters are ending up in recycling boxes and posing a hazard to workers at recycling facilities. (Coleman/Canadian Tire)

For anyone who has camped in one of B.C.'s provincial campgrounds, it's all too common to see mini green propane tanks or other similar fuel canisters stacked beside garbage receptacles.

People know they're not waste, but tend to be unsure if they belong with the bottles and cans.

That uncertainty has become a problem for Multi-Material B.C., the organization that manages residential recycling in municipalities throughout the province.

"Our concern is we're seeing more and more of these show up in blue boxes and when they're there they actually create a fire risk and a potential worker safety issue," said Allen Langdon, managing director of Multi-Material B.C.

Langdon says workers at recycling facilities have had several incidents where the containers were compacted and exploded.

"Thankfully no one was hurt, but all things being equal, it could have been a situation where someone did get hurt," he said. "We don't want to have a more serious incident happen down the road."

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Compressed gas cylinders are dangerous when included with curbside, multi-family building or depot recycling as they can explode and catch fire during transportation or processing.

Also, compressed gases can be toxic or corrosive, so special handling is required.

The agency is asking that people using these types of tanks collect them and take them to a proper depot, which can be found through the Recycling Council of British Columbia's Recyclepedia website. The tanks are categorized as hazardous items under the first drop-down menu.

Vancouver's landfill and transfer station both accept the canisters while residents can also call the recycling hotline at 1-800-667-4321 or email hotline@rcbc.ca to find a depot. MMBC also offers a recycling app for smartphones.

Langdon admits, however, that the extra effort to collect the containers and then drive them to an out-of-the-way location is a barrier for some people.

"It's probably something that needs to be looked at in the future in terms of is there a way to develop a more robust system for collecting this type of container," he said.