⚠️ The original redemption survey is closed. SurveyMonkey formH69GMCBreturns "This survey is currently closed" as of 2026-05-17. The giveaway was always "while supplies last," and the survey shutdown suggests cylinders are gone for this round. Below is what to do now. [Source: surveymonkey.com/r/H69GMCB (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Last verified 2026-05-17
What this was
Nevada County ran a free-cylinder giveaway tied to its Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program. The goal: get people off single-use 1 lb. green propane bottles (the kind for camp stoves and patio heaters) and onto refillable 1 lb. cylinders. Single-use bottles are HHW — they cost the county money to dispose of and can't legally go in the trash.
If you qualified, you filled out a short SurveyMonkey form at the redemption location and walked away with a free refillable cylinder.
Is this still open?
Probably not for now. The redemption form is closed. The program may run again when the county gets more cylinders (these giveaways are usually funded by CalRecycle HHW grants, which come in cycles). [Source: grants.ca.gov/grants/household-hazardous-waste-grant-hd45-small-projects/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]
To check for a re-launch, contact Nevada County Solid Waste directly:
- Phone: 530-265-7111
Ask: "Is the free 1 lb. refillable propane cylinder giveaway running again? Where do I pick one up?" [Source: nevadacountyca.gov/3111/Recycling-Resources (accessed 2026-05-17)]
What you can do right now
1) Buy a refillable 1 lb. cylinder and refill it locally
Even without the giveaway, switching to refillable saves money fast (refills are a few dollars vs. ~$5–$8 for a new disposable). Two Nevada County refill stations:
- HBE Rentals — 11727 LaBarr Meadows Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95945
- InnTown Campground — 9 Kidder Ct, Nevada City, CA 95959
Both stock the "Fuel Your Fun" / Flame King-style refillable 1 lb. cylinders and do refills on the spot. [Source: ncclimateactionnow.org/recycle (accessed 2026-05-17)]
2) Don't throw old green bottles in the trash
Used or partially-full 1 lb. propane bottles are household hazardous waste. Take them to the Nevada County HHW facility (McCourtney Road Transfer Station, Grass Valley) on a scheduled HHW day — free for county residents. Call Solid Waste at 530-265-7111 for the current schedule. [Source: nevadacountyca.gov/3111/Recycling-Resources (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Why bother
- One refillable cylinder replaces dozens of disposables. Less money out of your pocket, less HHW headache.
- Disposable green bottles are getting harder to get rid of. Several California counties (Palmdale, LA County) are pushing the same switch. [Source: cleanla.lacounty.gov/hhw/reusable-propane-cylinders/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]
If you already filled out the survey
You should have walked away with the cylinder that day — the form was filled out at the redemption location, not online in advance. If you have a printed/completed form but never got a cylinder, call Nevada County Solid Waste at 530-265-7111 and ask whether the program will honor it in a future round.
Status: Giveaway round closed; refill infrastructure still available locally. Watch for the next CalRecycle-funded round.