FlipFuel Review: Canister Fuel Transfer Device

Recycling Isobutane Canisters

Using canister stoves might not be as sustainable as something like an alcohol stove, as there’s arguably less waste from the latter. However, using the FlipFuel device as Neil did in the review—by transferring fuel from a large 16 oz (450g) canister into a small 3.9 oz (110g) one (for use while bikepacking)—could result in much less waste. And, theoretically, you can recycle isobutane canisters.

Isobutane canisters are made of painted steel and small plastic and rubber parts for the valve. They can be recycled, although it’s not as easy as it sounds, and you can’t just toss your spent canister into the recycling bin. Fuel canisters can only be recycled if “mixed metal” is accepted, and even then, only when they’re properly drained and punctured. Here’s how to recycle your fuel canisters:

Step 1: Empty the Canister

Make sure the canister is completely empty. It’s best to use all the gas while cooking to burn off the hydrocarbons instead of releasing them. However, if you think there might be a little gas left in the can, you can purge it by attaching your stove, inverting it, and opening the valve.

Step 2: Puncture the Canister

In order to be recycled, spent fuel canisters have to be punctured. There are a few ways to go about this. One is to use this tool made by JetBoil, but you certainly don’t need it. The other two options are to use a simple old-school can opener or a hammer and screwdriver, which is the best method we’ve found. It’s not recommended to use a saw or any kind of power tool as it could cause a spark. Also, you don’t need to remove the valve to meet the requirements for mixed metal recycling.

Step 3: Find a Recycler

This last step is where things get tricky and a little fuzzy. Few curbside recycling programs handle mixed metals, and virtually none recycle fuel canisters. Most people recommend dropping them off at a metal recycling center. If you go this route, contact your local recycling center for advice. We did just that and spoke with the manager of our county solid waste center, which provides mixed metal recycling. They told us that even if a canister is punctured, it might not get recycled because they don’t always see the hole and can’t quickly identify that it’s empty. They recommended that after you empty it and puncture it, it’s best to either cut it in half or crush it to make it not look like a fuel canister. That being said, cutting it in half could still potentially have some risk.

Another option is to find a third party that handles fuel canister recycling. We read that REI had a program to recycle them, but I contacted REI via their website and called our local store to find out that they do not accept them. Some municipalities do accept them—probably in California, maybe some in Colorado. As a last alternative, once the canisters are emptied and punctured, some metal scrap yards may take them.