I haven’t done much corporate work in supply chain management, but whenever I had the authority to make purchases, I made informed decisions in fulfilling my responsibilities. Now that I am building a business promoting organic, sustainable and locally grown/owned products that feed people, I take that responsibility even more seriously.

I am often frustrated with companies that do not “own” their products from raw materials to disposal. For example, printing companies like Canon provide UPS return labels on their websites. Consumers can send their old toner cartridges back to Canon’s recycle point in the product carton. I learned about their recycling program when I bought my first printer. Although other printer companies may have similar programs, all of my printers have been Canton printers.

So, imagine my surprise when I visited the Coleman company‘s website and learned that a Coleman propane can recycling program DOES NOT EXIST. They outsource the manufacture of Coleman-branded propane and that manufacturer has not created an exchange program either. So, consumers of their propane camping products—nature lovers, mind you—are directed to discard empty steel containers as local hazardous waste. Coleman does NOT take responsibility for their product life cycle (extraction of raw materials, production, use, and post-use phases). But they are not the only choice in the supplier pool.

Enter Little Kamper. (We are not compensated for promoting this product. We support them because they are more sustainable.) This company is one alternative to buying a product that adds waste to the local landfill, or that the local waste organizations have to dispose of. From their site, you can buy camping propane and exchange the empty container to get a discount on the next one. This, as they say, is a no-brainer.

Specific retailers across the country are partnering with Little Kamper. I contacted the Ace Hardware in Canfield, Ohio today to confirm that they exchange the cans. I look forward to buying there in the near future.

I wish I had researched more before buying Coleman products. My sustainable mindset is evolving.

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ColorBlindWork | People. Plants. Purpose. emphasizes sustainable practices in our plant and produce business, and in all our personal and professional activities. Let’s grow something, sustainably!