Gas Can Replacement
What is Voluntary Gas Can Replacement?
Portable gas cans, like those used to fuel
lawnmowers, account for a significant amount of smog- forming emissions
escaping into the air every day.
According to calculations from the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, emissions from gas cans contribute approximately 22.4 tons of Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs) per day in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Communities or companies can address this issue by conducting programs that
allow citizens to trade in old gas cans and in return receive a rebate,
discount or even free environmentally friendly cans.
What benefits and costs does this strategy provide?
Improve regional air quality.
Emissions from gas cans occur from evaporation
and due to spillage from overfilling of power equipment fuel tanks. In
transporting and storing cans, emissions are also released through secondary
vent holes and permeation.
The California Air Resources Board estimated that 87 tons of smog forming
hydrocarbons were released in their state every day from gas cans, which
is equivalent to the emissions of 1 million average cars. By using newer
gas cans with features such as shut off values, harmful gasoline fumes
can be reduced by 75%.
Improve indoor air quality and safety.
Storing traditional gas cans may pose a threat
to the health of those in the home. When old cans are stored in a garage
or in the basement, the toxic fumes are emitted into the air and can negatively
impact inhabitants with respiratory ailments.
Cost effectiveness.
An environmentally friendly gas can typically
cost $6- $11 more than a standard gas can. Assuming a five-year useful
life, this amounts to an additional $1.20 to $2.20 per year over the life
of the gas can. Have any communities implemented such a program?
The City of Chicago Department of Environment
offered households the opportunity to turn in their old gas cans and replace
them with new environmentally friendly cans. A Gas Can Trade-In event
was held in conjunction with the City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection
and Lawnmower Buy Back program. In this event, the City exchanged 170
old gasoline cans for free environmentally friendly gasoline cans for
an approximate reduction of .59 tons VOC/year.
The California Air Resources Board enacted a gas can regulation on January
1, 2001. This regulation states that effective January 1, 2001 California
manufacturers must produce gas cans that have an automatic shut off feature,
automatic closure, eliminate secondary ventilation holes, and emit no
more than 0.4 grams of reactive organic gases from permeation through
a container's wall. After January 1, 2002 consumers will no longer be
able to purchase gas cans within the state that do not comply with these
standards.
Where can I obtain environmentally friendly gas cans?
Manufacturers of environmentally friendly gas cans include:
- Blitz USA
Carries CARB compliant "Spill Proof" cans and
their "Sure-Pour" cans that do not meet the permeation standard but
achieve 94% of the emission reductions of the CARB compliant cans. 1-800-331-3795
- Briggs and Stratton
Carries a "Smartfill" can that meets all but
the permeation standard. They will be coming out with a "Spill Proof
Spout" can in the fall 2001 which will be CARB compliant. The "Smartfill Hotline", can be used to find out which stores carry
"Smartfill" cans or to place orders. 1-800-236-2426.
- Wedco
There are two product lines available using the spill proof system.
One is CARB compliant and the other is not. Low emitting CARB containers
are currently mainly available in California, but they should be available
at Ace Hardware and Napa Auto Part stores by the end of 2001.
To place orders, call their customer service number: 1-888-449-3326.
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