As camping and cookout season comes to an end, Monroe County officials are reminding residents to safely dispose of their empty propane tanks.
They should not be hauled to the curb for pickup, or placed in recycling bins or garbage totes.
Environmental services director Mike Garland said even a small, residual amount of propane can present an explosion or fire hazard.
"We had a near miss, an incident at the Monroe County Recycling Center that is operated by Waste Management that required them to call the fire department," he said. "Fortunately there was no fire or explosion and nobody was hurt, but it was a close call."
Empty propane tanks can be brought to the Monroe County ecopark at 10 Avion Drive. The ecopark is open Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Garland said the larger, 20-pound propane tanks can often be returned where they were purchased.
