Teton County to pilot prototype machine to recycle 1-lb propane canisters

Teton County’s Board of County Commissioners is scheduled on April 21 to consider a one-year Pilot Test Agreement with Worthington Enterprises to deploy a prototype unit that evacuates and crushes one‑pound, non‑refillable propane cylinders so the metal can be recycled. The county would not pay for the equipment, delivery or training, but would provide trained Household Hazardous Waste staff time and a suitable covered, ventilated site with 208V power, according to the agenda packet. (ISWR Pilot Test Agreement with Worthington Enterprises Packet)

Integrated Solid Waste & Recycling says it has a backlog of stockpiled cylinders and, without access to a previously used National Park Service recycling trailer, its remaining disposal option is its contracted hazardous-waste vendor at $85.64 per canister. The prototype is estimated to cost about $300,000 to manufacture if purchased; during the pilot, ISWR plans to track metrics such as processing time, volume-to-ton conversion, potential scrap revenue and “community service value” to evaluate whether a future acquisition pencils out. (ISWR Pilot Test Agreement with Worthington Enterprises Packet)

The agreement includes expansive risk and liability provisions: the county would accept the prototype “as is,” assume risk of use (including ignition/explosion risk) except for Worthington’s gross negligence, and release and indemnify Worthington even for losses tied to Worthington’s ordinary negligence or an alleged defect, the document says. It also restricts use to labeled Worthington non‑refillable cylinders (Coleman/Bernzomatic) and bars operation by anyone not trained by Worthington. (ISWR Pilot Test Agreement with Worthington Enterprises Packet)