Has your barbecue been not performing up to the mark lately? Perhaps, it’s about time you got it disposed of and purchased a new one.
But hold your horses; disposing of an old barbecue is not as simple as it sounds. You need to make sure that it gets done in an environment-friendly manner as some of the electronic components could be potentially hazardous.
If you are not sure how to go about it, fret not. In this guide, we’ll be explaining how to dispose of old barbecue grills in a few simple steps.
So, without further ado, let’s jump straight to the details.
How To Dispose of Old Barbecues?
Here are a few easy steps that you can follow to get rid of your old grill:
1. Dismantle TheGrill
There are different parts in a barbecue, but only some are suitable for recycling. As such, each part should be set apart and sorted accordingly.
Also, we strongly recommend separating the metal and plastic components to make it easier for you to determine the value while scrapping the barbecue. You will most likely need some power tools to remove certain parts from the barbecue, so make sure you keep them handy.
If you are unsure how to scrap a grill efficiently, it’s best to watch a Youtube tutorial video on removing its parts without much hassle.
2. Detach The Propane Tank
Before proceeding, it’s important to note that propane tanks are considered hazardous waste, and more often than not, they are not even allowed in landfills. Believe it or not, hazardous waste specialists are usually assigned to properly dispose of propane tanks since they are so dangerous.
Most gas suppliers will take the empty propane tanks for recycling. However, propane tanks that can’t be recycled are sent to the fire station department for safe disposal. But before you dispose of the propane tank, ensure that it is empty. Otherwise, it can lead to a fire or the release of hazardous toxins, harming you and others nearby.
To find out if there’s some propane still left in the propane tank, just turn the knob on, and you’ll be able to sniff it. There’s no need to light it, as the gas may not be strong enough to get through the burner despite being there in the propane tank.
Once you are done checking that there is no gas in the tank, cut the supply lines. Then turn off the valve and unfasten the bolts that connect the tank to the grill. Finally, you can dispose of the propane hose with regular trash as it’s just rubber.
3. Remove The Gas Valves
Next, you need to remove the gas valves. More often than not, these valves are made using brass or aluminum, which are metals that can easily be recycled or sold by scrap metal dealers.
4. Take Out The Grill Body
The grill body mainly consists of recyclable materials such as aluminum, regular steel and stainless steel. Since these materials can be melted down, you can recycle them to develop other materials and repurpose them for other uses.
5. Remove The Side Shelves And The Grill Lid
The side shelves and the gas grill lid can also be recycled, provided they are made from recyclable materials.
If you have a plastic gas grill lid, you can recycle it. But make sure that it sports the ‘recyclable sticker’ on it, which will tell you if it can be recycled or not. If there is no such sticker, the plastic most likely can’t be recycled and is best thrown away in a curbside recycling bin.
Needless to say, this applies to the side shelves as well.
6. Dispose Of Batteries And Electronics
According to a recent report by ABS, the economy of Australia had generated about 465,818 tonnes of e-waste between 2016 and 2017. Furthermore, the report showed that household appliances tend to produce the lion’s share of the e-waste, with more than 50% of it winding up in landfills. And the worst part is that this number has only grown in recent years.
Now, e-waste in landfills is a serious concern as this sort of waste contains toxic materials that cause damage to the natural environment. Therefore, it’s best to dispose of the electronics and the batteries of your machine alongside other household electronics. On a side note, electronics on a barbecue consists of electronic controllers, ignition wires and other items.
We are sure that there is plenty of e-waste drop-off points in your local area; just make sure you dispose of all the electronic waste there. You can overlook these steps if you are using a traditional charcoal grill powered by charcoal briquettes, and the waste produced is basically charcoal ash.
Anyhow, you can even get in touch with an electronic waste disposal servicing company to ensure the safe handling and disposal of e-waste.
7. Unfasten The Barbecue Wheels And The Control Knobs
Gas knobs made using black plastic are most likely recyclable. On the other hand, those made from metal are best discarded with the trash. The same goes for plastic wheels; you can recycle them with other recyclable plastics.
Why Is It Important To Dispose Of Old Barbecue The Right Way?
While disposing of an old gas grill can seem time-consuming and challenging, it will enlighten you about the various resources that this household item consists of. At the same time, you reduce your carbon footprint by sorting the trash and ensuring that toxic waste does not pile up in landfills.
Final Thoughts
With that, we have come to the end of our informative guide.
As landfills in Australia continue to accumulate recyclable and hazardous materials, proper and ethical disposal is necessary for environmental sustainability. And hopefully, by now, you will be able to dispose of your old barbecue efficiently without a worry.
On that note, it’s time for us to wrap up. Until next time — stay responsible, stay safe!