Californians regularly use 1 lb. propane gas cylinders for outdoor grills, heaters, and lighting, and use an estimated four million single-use cylinders each year. A new eco-friendly cylinder exchange program intends to reduce the waste and expense of handling empty disposable containers with a refillable propane exchange program.
Called Little Kamper, the cylinder exchange program consists of a reusable sixteen-ounce gas cylinder purchased at local hardware stores where once empty, the cylinder can be exchanged for a full one. Unlike their ubiquitous disposable counterpart – the single-use cylinders shown below (bottom left) – Little Kamper cylinders are stout and durable (bottom right), can be refillable over a hundred times, and last for up to ten years. The exchange eliminates costly cylinder disposal and is a zero-waste alternative. The cylinders connect to devices in the same way as single-use ones as no special connection is required.
A cooperative effort between a Kamps Propane, a California-based propane distributor and Bay Area Ace Hardware retailers, the program is being introduced this July 4th weekend when summer camping, sporting, and BBQs where cylinder use skyrockets. The program has been in development for over two years. Program participants, with the support of the ReFuel Your Fun & $ave!® campaign (below), intend to see it grow. With over forty million single-use cylinders manufactured each year, the campaign’s goal is to encourage consumers’ willingness to purchase this reusable alternative and to end use of the single-use 1 lb. propane cylinders.
Propane cylinders are designated by the State of California as Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and are illegal to thrown away in the trash. They must be taken to a designated drop-off facility or collection receptacle, costing taxpayers to recycle each cylinder. Single-use cylinders that are not taken to the HHW Facility and are disposed of improperly can cause harm to the environment and pose health and safety risks for waste management workers.
The ReFuel Your Fun & $ave!® campaign, which encourages the use of reusable 1 lb. propane cylinders over the costly and wasteful single-use cylinders, is proud to support the use of reusable 1 lb. propane cylinders and encourages you to make the switch from single-use cylinders to reusables! The Campaign also educates about proper collection and recycling of 1 lb. propane cylinders. For more information about the ReFuel Your Fun Campaign, recycling empty cylinders, and to find more retailers selling reusables and refill services, visit www.refuelyourfun.org.
California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) developed and administers the ReFuel Your Fun Campaign nationally. CPSC educates both the public and private sectors about Product Stewardship and closely partners with business, jurisdictions, waste and recycling companies, manufacturers, and others to promote and encourage sustainable practices and to recognize those companies who are taking a leadership role in participating in waste reduction.