Check old camping butane cans and local collection guidance

Check the can's condition

If a can has been stored for a long time, check its manufacturing date and the product guidance. In June 2026, the corporation's Eastern Jeonnam branch pointed to cans past a recommended three-year use period, and to cans with corrosion or damage. The Central Gyeonggi branch's August notice also described collection support for long-unused, corroded or dented cans.

The Eastern Jeonnam notice does not specify when the three-year period starts. Ask the relevant office instead of calculating a deadline from the manufacturing date alone.

These are regional notices, not proof of a uniform national collection program. So if you can't establish a can's condition or storage history, don't insist on using it. Ask the relevant gas safety body or your local authority how to handle it.

What if gas remains?

The Eastern Jeonnam branch says cans with remaining gas can also be collected and processed safely. It advises against disposing of or damaging them yourself and directs users to designated collectors. Don't puncture a can or try to release the remaining gas yourself. Ask about the local process first.

Collection points and procedures may differ from place to place. The Central Gyeonggi notice asked people to visit its office, but the sources reviewed don't confirm whether that same process is running now.

What should you tell the local office?

Tell them where you are, how many cans you have, how long they've been stored, and whether you see corrosion or dents. If the manufacturing date is legible, mention that too. And if gas remains or you suspect damage, say so before you arrange a handoff.

The 2026 Eastern Jeonnam notice lists 061-650-4750. Elsewhere, ask the relevant Korea Gas Safety Corporation branch or local authority about the current collection point and eligibility. The sources were checked on November 3, 2026, and the notices alone don't show that either regional program is still operating.