Why Compressed Tanks Are Prohibited At Inland Steel Products
If you are bringing scrap metal to one of our locations, it is important to remove any sealed tanks or cylinders from your scrap metal load before you arrive.
Many people assume that once a tank is empty, it is safe to recycle like other metal items. The issue is that compressed tanks are designed to hold pressure, and even small amounts of residual gas can create a serious safety risk in a recycling environment.
At Inland Steel Products, safety is a top priority for our customers, our team, and the environment. That is why we follow strict guidelines on what can and cannot be accepted at our eight convenient locations across Western Canada.
Understanding this rule before you visit helps keep your drop-off quick, safe, and efficient, while ensuring your scrap metal can be processed without delays and you can be paid promptly for your metal.
Depressurized Compressed Tanks Can Be Accepted
Inland Steel Products can accept compressed tanks only if they have been fully depressurized and the valve has been removed. In practical terms, this means the tank must have a visible opening, such as a hole, so it cannot hold pressure.
If a tank is still sealed, has a valve installed, or appears capable of holding pressure, it will not be accepted. If you are unsure whether a tank has been prepared correctly, contact our team before visiting so we can help confirm what is acceptable.
Depressurized/valve removed compressed tanks
Why Sealed Compressed Tanks Are Prohibited
In a scrap metal recycling facility, materials are moved, stacked, and processed using heavy equipment designed to handle large volumes of metal safely and efficiently. Many items eventually pass through processing systems that cut, shear, crush, or prepare metal for shipment.
Sealed compressed tanks do not behave like regular scrap metal in this environment. Even when a tank appears empty, it can still contain residual pressure or trapped gases. If a tank is punctured, crushed, or exposed to heat during handling or processing, that pressure can be released suddenly, causing the tank to rupture or explode.
This creates serious risks at multiple stages of the recycling process, including the potential for injury to customers or staff from sudden rupture or flying debris, as well as damage to equipment and facility infrastructure.
Because these risks cannot be safely managed through standard scrap metal handling and processing methods, sealed compressed tanks are treated differently than most metal items. For these reasons, sealed compressed tanks are not accepted at Inland Steel Products.
This policy helps protect the people on site, supports safe and consistent operations, and ensures our facilities can continue to serve customers efficiently.
Examples of Prohibited Compressed Tanks
Sealed compressed tanks come in many forms, and they are often mixed into scrap loads by accident.
If you are unsure whether an item qualifies as a compressed tank, it is best to check before you arrive by contacting our friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Examples of sealed compressed tanks and cylinders that are prohibited include:
- Propane tanks
- Gas cylinders
- Oxyacetylene bottles
- Fire extinguishers
- Air compressor tanks
These items can be found in homes, shops, farms, and job sites. The size of the tank does not remove the risk. Small cylinders and large industrial tanks both fall under the same restriction because the hazard comes from pressure, not from weight or volume.
Removing these items before transport helps protect everyone involved and prevents delays at the scale. Compressed tanks may be accepted only if they have been depressurized and the valve has been removed so the tank cannot hold pressure.
What Can Be Recycled
While sealed compressed tanks and a number of other items are prohibited, most scrap metal can be safely recycled at Inland Steel Products. Our goal is to make metal recycling straightforward and rewarding for homeowners, contractors, and businesses, with clear guidelines that keep our sites running safely.
Common materials accepted at our facilities include:
- Ferrous metals such as steel and iron
- Non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and copper
- Construction and demolition metal from renovation or job site cleanups
- Automotive and appliance scrap, when prepared according to guidelines
- Industrial and commercial metal
Accepted materials can vary depending on the specific item and condition. For the most accurate guidance, check Inland Steel Products’ What We Buy page or contact us before you visit. If you are unsure about a material in your load, our team can help confirm what can be accepted and how to prepare it.
The Inland Steel Products Recycling Process
For over 55 years, Inland Steel Products has provided safe, reliable metal recycling services to customers across Western Canada. With eight state-of-the-art facilities, we are equipped to handle a wide range of metal recycling needs while maintaining strict safety standards.
When you recycle with Inland Steel Products, you benefit from:
- Fast, efficient service designed to get you in and out quickly
- Competitive pricing with clear, transparent weighing practices
- Experienced staff who can help you identify acceptable materials
- A safety-first approach that protects customers, employees, and equipment
- Convenient locations in Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Lloydminster, Swift Current, Bonnyville and Medicine Hat
RECYCLE YOUR SCRAP METAL FOR CASH
If you have scrap metal you’d like to recycle for cash contact our team today! We are open Monday to Friday and have eight locations across Western Canada with convenient drive-in and drop-off facilities.
