If you’re an avid scuba diver, then you know that there is no such thing as an old tank. But it’s inevitable that your collection of tanks will start to grow and grow over time. Eventually, you’ll need to figure out what to do with them! Not only can they take up a lot of space in your home or garage, but they can also pose a safety risk if they aren’t stored properly. So, what to do with old scuba tanks? here are some options for how to dispose of those old tanks:
1. Scrap the metal
- Scrap the metal: The best use is to recycle it. Tons of metals can be recycled, including steel and aluminum. These metals are valuable and are often used to make new things like cars, construction equipment, and even airplanes.
- Recycle the plastic: Many types of plastics can be recycled into other materials such as lumber or carpeting. This helps reduce waste in landfills by keeping plastics from being buried forever!
- Melt down your tank: You may also be able to melt your tank down in order to reuse some parts (like valves). This process is called “refining” because you’re refining the material back into its purest form so that it can be reused later on another product
2. Designate the tank for fire extinguisher use
What to do with old scuba tanks? If you’ve ever seen a scuba tank used as a fire extinguisher, it’s probably because someone found an old tank and decided to make it work. But this is not a good idea! A scuba tank is designed for underwater use, so it doesn’t have the right valves or fittings for use in an oxygen-rich environment.
Fire extinguishers are made with different chemicals than those found in scuba tanks; the two types of equipment are not compatible with each other. When you try to use your old tank as a fire extinguisher, you’ll probably end up spraying yourself with chemicals that aren’t meant for human consumption or exposure—and may also cause damage to your equipment if they get into its valves and openings.
3. Re-purpose the tank for oxygen use
- Use it to store oxygen.
- Use it to store helium.
- Use it as a storage container for compressed air.
The possibilities are endless!
4. Donate the tank
What to do with old scuba tanks? You can donate your tank to a dive shop. A good number of dive shops that rent tanks will take your old one off your hands, no questions asked.
Dive clubs are also usually more than happy to have an extra tank on hand, and they may even be able to use it for training purposes.
Scuba equipment manufacturers often accept old tanks as trade-ins or donations. This is especially true if you own a regulator made by the same company that made your current model—for example, if you have been using Aqua Lung regulators for many years but are upgrading to their new series of regulators, Aqua Lung would likely appreciate having access to some older models so they can test them out and make sure they’re still safe enough for rental use after being out in the field with divers who aren’t always careful with how they care for their equipment (or who might abuse it).
Local schools or colleges might also accept old tanks if there is someone teaching scuba classes there (at either the high school level or college level) and need additional equipment on hand so students don’t have to wait until next semester before getting started in class! This option works best if there is a program nearby where students learn how to dive safely–it’s not necessary but it certainly helps!
There are several options for disposing of old scuba tanks
- Recycle the tank. If you live in an area where it is possible to recycle scuba tanks, this is the best option. There are organizations that will pay for them, and they will be recycled into new tanks. If you aren’t sure if your local recycling center can accept a scuba tank, ask them directly.
- Donate it to a dive shop or club. Most dive shops and clubs have programs where people donate their old tanks so they can be used by other divers who either cannot afford a new one or do not want to carry around any extra weight while diving. This option is great if you love helping others get involved with scuba diving!
- Use as an emergency fire extinguisher container (if empty). If your tank has been completely emptied out of nitrogen gas and other gases inside of it, then it is safe for use as a fire extinguisher container because there is no longer any pressurized gas present inside of it at all times anymore! You may need some equipment from Home Depot if this happens though… like tubing from which air could be pumped out using another pump such as what might be found inside of a car tire pump kit–or something similar enough anyway…
Conclusion
There are many ways to recycle or repurpose old scuba tanks. Hopefully, this article has given you some good ideas on what to do with your old tank that’s just sitting around in the garage. Remember that there are more options than just dumping them into the landfill!