CO2 Cylinders and Cartridges Alternative ways to recycle Hazardous Waste Never dispose of Curbside. Never Dispose of Curbside CO2 cartridges are hazardous because they are pressurized. Never dispose of them at the curb. Dispose of them as hazardous waste instead. Keep Away From Heat A CO2 cartridge is pressurized and may explode if heated, so keep it away from heat and out of direct sunlight in a well-ventilated area. Alternative Ways to Recycle SodaStream Retail Gas Exchange If you’re using a SodaStream CO2 cylinder for homemade carbonated beverages, you can exchange it for a new one at any of their retail locations. The store will return empty CO2 cartridges to be cleaned, inspected, and refilled. Find out more. Ways to Reuse Refill Your Cylinders Some CO2 cylinders, such as those for beverage carbonation or paintball, can be refilled. Contact the manufacturer or your closest retailer to find out how. Did You Know? What Are CO2 Cartridges Used For? CO2 cartridges add carbonation to drinks like sodas, they propel paintballs from paintball guns, and they inflate bike tires and personal flotation devices in the event of an emergency. They also serve many different industrial purposes for industries such as agriculture, medicine, entertainment, winemaking and more.