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COLEMAN PROVIDES SOLUTION FOR DISPOSAL OF
SINGLE-USE PROPANE CYLINDERS
New Green Key
Tool Is First Step in Making Empties Recyclable
Coleman single-use propane cylinder |
WICHITA, Kan. (May,
2008) - Rolling off the production line
this spring is the patent-pending Coleman® Green
Key® tool, the first step in making empty
single-use propane cylinders recyclable. With
the introduction of this simple,
industry-changing device, The Coleman Company,
Inc. enables U.S. consumers to be sure their
propane cylinders are completely empty before
they are discarded along with regular household
trash or recycled when and where recycling
programs become available.
The ubiquitous green cylinders are familiar
to campers all over the United States and just
about anyone else who has used a portable,
propane-powered cooking, heating or lighting
device outside. However, unlike their large bulk
tank cousins, these small single-use cylinders
are not refillable (due to federal law
prohibiting transportation of this type of
cylinder if refilled), leaving some people
uncertain about proper disposal or wishing the
cylinders could be recycled.
The accepted practice for ensuring that a
cylinder is empty has always been to use it on a
stove, lantern or other propane-powered device
until the propane runs out, at which time the
appliance will stop working. However, after
that, to be certain that there is no propane
left in the cylinder, individuals now can go a
step further by inserting the Green Key tool
into the top of the cylinder, where it will
remain permanently lodged. After two minutes,
they can then discard or recycle the steel
cylinder, confident in knowing that the presence
of the bright green device indicates the
cylinder is open and empty.
"By educating consumers and the recycling
industry, we want to make the Green Key tool an
easily recognized symbol that a propane cylinder
is open, has no propane left in it and,
therefore, is potentially as easy to recycle as
an ordinary steel can," said Darrell Neugebauer,
Coleman's director of burning appliances and
fuels.
Expanding Recycling Programs for More Waste
Diversion
Along with introducing the Green Key tool to consumers, Coleman is
inviting communities in the United States and
Canada to integrate empty single-use propane
cylinders into curbside and drop-off
programs as part of steel can recycling. Coleman
is providing technical information to waste
haulers and recycling facilities on how to
divert these empty cylinders from landfill to
recycling.
"Coleman and other manufacturers combined produce millions of
single-use propane cylinders annually, creating
a tremendous opportunity for a new source of
recycled steel," Neugebauer said. "We want
propane cylinder recycling eventually to become
as routine as steel can recycling. That's why
Coleman is leading the way to help make these
cylinders recyclable, but we need community and
individual help to make it happen.
"In the meantime, the new Green Key tool means that consumers can
dispose of the cylinders with the certainty that
they are open and completely empty," Neugebauer
said. "Consumers also may be interested to know
that Coleman's propane cylinders - like many
other steel products on the market today - are
made with an average minimum of 25 percent
recycled content."
Beginning in May 2008, the Green Key tool will be packaged inside
the cap of most Coleman-branded propane
cylinders and will be available at REI, Dick's
Sporting Goods and other select sporting goods
retailers nationwide. Cylinders with the Green
Key tool included will be clearly marked, so
consumers will know which propane cylinders come
with the tool.
The Green Key tools will also be sold separately - in packages of
six - and can be purchased at select retailers
and at
www.coleman.com. These can be used with any
existing Coleman propane cylinder.
For more information, see the separate
Green Key Tool Q&A Fact Sheet..
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