Getting rid of used oxygen tanks and equipment isn’t as simple as posting them for sale or putting them on the curb. Depending on what you have, whether it’s a pressurized steel cylinder or a portable oxygen concentrator, your options range from selling to a specialty reseller, donating, scrapping for metal, or dropping off at a hazardous waste site. Here’s how to figure out the best route for your situation.
Tanks vs. Concentrators: Know What You Have
The term “oxygen tank” covers two very different products, and the path to getting rid of each one is different. Traditional oxygen cylinders are pressurized metal tanks, usually steel or aluminum, filled with compressed or liquid oxygen. These are the tall, heavy cylinders that typically belong to a medical supply company and were delivered to your home as part of a rental arrangement.
Oxygen concentrators, on the other hand, are electric machines that pull oxygen from the air. Portable models like the Inogen One G5 or Rove 6 are about the size of a small handbag. Home units are larger but still plug into a standard outlet. These are the ones with real resale value, and they’re the ones buyers are most interested in.
Who Actually Buys Used Oxygen Equipment
Specialty medical equipment resellers are your most reliable buyers. Companies like OxygenConcentratorStore.com purchase and resell used portable and home oxygen concentrators. Used portable units start around $995 on the resale market, and home units start around $350. To give you a sense of what sellers receive: a used Inogen One G5, which retails for about $2,495, resells for around $1,700. A used Inogen At Home concentrator listed at $1,695 new sells used for roughly $1,095. These resellers typically inspect, refurbish, and certify units before listing them, so they’ll want equipment that’s in working condition with accessories included.
Welding supply shops and scrap metal dealers sometimes buy or accept old pressurized cylinders, particularly steel ones, since the metal has scrap value. However, most will require the tank to be fully depressurized first, and some insist on the valve being removed or a hole drilled in the tank to prove it’s empty. Call ahead before hauling a tank anywhere, because policies vary widely from yard to yard.
Local medical equipment resale shops, sometimes called durable medical equipment (DME) dealers, occasionally buy used concentrators and related accessories. Search for “used medical equipment” in your area and call to ask what they’re currently accepting. Inventory needs change frequently, so a shop that turned you down last month might be interested today.
Why Major Online Platforms Won’t Work
If your first instinct is to list your equipment on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, be aware of the restrictions. eBay prohibits the sale of any medical device that requires a prescription, and that includes oxygen concentrators, compressors, conservers, and their prescription-required accessories. Facebook Marketplace has similar rules. Listings that violate these policies get removed, and repeated violations can get your account flagged.
Craigslist is less strictly moderated, and you’ll find oxygen equipment listed there, but the legal gray area remains. Oxygen concentrators are FDA-regulated devices that technically require a prescription to purchase in the U.S. Some sellers work around this by selling concentrators marketed for “altitude” or “wellness” use, but that’s a distinction with limited legal protection.
Donating Your Equipment
If selling feels like more trouble than it’s worth, donating is a straightforward alternative. MedShare, a national nonprofit, accepts used biomedical equipment and unused, unexpired medical supplies. They redistribute donated equipment to healthcare facilities in underserved communities around the world. If your concentrator still works but you can’t find a buyer, this route gives it a second life.
Many local organizations also run medical equipment lending closets or donation programs, often through churches, community health centers, or disability advocacy groups. A quick call to your local Area Agency on Aging can point you toward programs in your region that accept oxygen-related equipment.
Safe Disposal of Pressurized Cylinders
If your oxygen tank is a pressurized metal cylinder and no one wants to buy it, you can’t simply toss it in the trash or mix it in with curbside recycling. Even a tank that feels empty can retain enough pressurized gas to cause an explosion in a garbage truck or at a recycling facility.
Your first call should be to the medical supply company that provided the tank. In most cases, rental cylinders still belong to the supplier, and they’re obligated to pick them up. Check your paperwork or the label on the tank for a company name and phone number.
If the tank is yours to dispose of, many county household hazardous waste (HHW) facilities accept pressurized cylinders. Prince George’s County in Maryland, for example, has a dedicated area for pressurized tanks at its HHW site, separate from general scrap metal. Standard safety guidelines apply: transport the cylinder upright and secured, don’t try to remove the valve yourself, and don’t leave the valve open during transport. When you arrive, tell the staff you have a pressurized tank so they can tag and handle it safely.
To find your nearest HHW site, search your county or city government website or call 311 if your city offers that service. NYC’s 311 line, for instance, specifically directs residents to welding equipment dealers and scrap metal dealers as options for old cylinders.
Getting the Best Return on a Concentrator
If you’re selling a portable or home oxygen concentrator, a few steps can meaningfully increase what you get for it. Include all original accessories: carrying cases, batteries, AC and DC power cords, cannulas, and the user manual. Buyers and resellers pay more for complete kits. Clean the exterior thoroughly, and if you have maintenance records or proof of purchase, include those too.
Check the hour meter on the device if it has one. Concentrators have a limited lifespan, typically measured in operating hours, and a unit with low hours is worth considerably more. A concentrator that no longer produces adequate oxygen flow is worth very little to a reseller, though some will buy non-working units for parts.
Get quotes from at least two or three specialty resellers before accepting an offer. Prices vary based on model, condition, hours of use, and current market demand. Portable units from popular brands like Inogen hold their value better than lesser-known models, with used prices often landing between 50% and 70% of the original retail price for units in good working condition.