Do you have an older gas can and need an upgrade? This weekend residents from around Central Iowa can participate in a free gas can exchange event held on Saturday, June 5th.
This weekend Metro Waste Authority will be hosting the eighth annual Legacy of Christopher Allsup Gas Can Exchange.
The gas can exchange will be held this Saturday, June 5th from 8 a.m to 10 a.m. at the Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off located at 1105 Prairie Drive SW, in Bondurant, IA.
During the gas can exchange event, Central Iowans can exchange their old gas can for a new, metal safety can on Saturday, June 5. The eighth annual event is in honor of Christopher Allsup, 10, who was fatally burned in 2013 after an outdated plastic gas container exploded.
Christopher passed away on September 21, 2013. He suffered burns over 90 percent of his body when a plastic gas container exploded, showered him with gasoline and then ignited. He was flown to the University of Iowa Burn Treatment Center where he died from his injuries five hours later.
In his memory, his family formed The Legacy of Christopher Allsup Foundation to educate others about the dangers of outdated portable gas containers. Since 2014, the foundation has partnered with Safe Kids Greater Des Moines, Blank Children’s Hospital, and Metro Waste Authority to host the annual gas can exchange for Des Moines metro residents.
On June 5th from 8-10 AM, residents can learn about safe gasoline storage and disposal while trading in their unsafe gas container during The Legacy of Christopher Allsup Gas Can Exchange at Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off in Bondurant.
During the event, each vehicle can exchange one gas container for a new, metal safety can with a flame arrestor. A flame arrestor is a small screen that is designed to prevent sparks from entering the gas container and igniting the fuel. Gas cans without a flame arrestor could put residents at risk of a fire or explosion.
Highly flammable vapors can easily escape from portable gasoline containers and a single spark can trigger a massive explosion. This type of explosion can be prevented by using a gas container equipped with a flame arrestor.
All gas containers brought for exchange must be surrendered for a new safety can. Containers will be accepted empty or with gas inside; however, no gas can be poured off or transferred between containers.
Exchanges will be made on a first-come, first served basis and participants will be required to sign a liability waiver. There is a limit of one exchange per vehicle. Gas cans are non-transferrable and cannot be exchanged for cash value.
For more information on this upcoming event, visit the Metro Waste Authority website.
Metro Waste Authority also offers other hazardous waste drop off at their Bondurant facility on the first and third Saturday of each month, as well as Tuesday through Friday from one to 5 p.m. For a list of accepted items including small appliances, televisions, chemicals and more as well as pricing for disposal, visit the page here.
Hazardous waste can also be dropped off at the MWA Grimes facility, which is located on SE Beisser Drive, by way of SE 37th Street, just a half-mile west of IA-Hwy 141. Drop off is available on the second Saturday of the month March through December from 8 a.m. to noon and by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 515.967.5512 to schedule.