U-Haul® was honored with the prestigious 2019 Golden Arrow Award for Overall Excellence in Product Stewardship on Sept. 18 in Denver. This distinction was for the organization’s introduction of a new and improved green product earlier this year: the reusable one-pound propane cylinder.
U-Haul Company of East Central Colorado president Jeremy Bonner was on site to accept the award from the National Stewardship Action Council at the 34th annual National Hazardous Materials Management Association Conference.
“The 1-lb. reusable propane cylinder is just the latest in a long line of green products and services U-Haul offers to promote a circular economy,” Bonner said. “We’re excited to be recognized for our sustainable products. I can’t wait to see reusables becoming a staple in more communities.”
Golden Credentials
The Golden Arrow Award goes to companies that demonstrate excellence in green design, toxic reduction, packaging reduction, increased reuse, repair, re-manufacture, convenient product take-back, and also end of life (EOL) management.
“We are convinced this green product is the responsible choice for propane users as we strive for solutions that benefit our world,” said John Barnett, U-Haul propane program manager. “We believe these reusable cylinders will inevitably replace the single-use tanks that are resulting in wasted materials, posing a danger to workers who handle them, and costing taxpayers large sums of money to have cities dispose of them properly. U-Haul thanks the NSAC for recognizing the value of this product and our sustainability vision.”
The California Product Stewardship Council presented its 2016 Golden Arrow Award to U-Haul prior to this national recognition.
“The National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) is proud to award U-Haul with the first annual Golden Arrow Award for their outstanding efforts in driving a circular economy in the U.S. U-Haul was an early adopter of the ReFuel Your Fun Campaign, selling and refilling the reusable 1 lb. propane cylinders in all 135 California stores and is expanding to states such as Wisconsin, Kansas, Texas, and more,” said Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director, National Stewardship Action Council. “We thank and applaud U-Haul for being a continued leader in sustainability.”
Green Business
The U-Haul reusable one-pound propane cylinder is the alternative to disposable one-pounders that are hazardous to the environment and cost cities hefty sums of taxpayer dollars to process when no longer in use.
U-Haul Company’s ecofriendly tank, manufactured by Flame King®, has an initial shelf life of 10 years. It costs $11.95 to $13.95, and the price includes a filled cylinder. Refills are just $1.95. Only trained propane professionals should fill and refill the cylinders.
“U-Haul is an industry leader in pursuing sustainable solutions and offering ecofriendly products,” said Barnett. “Customers will not only save money after a few cycles of use, but they will save their communities money and be a friend of the environment.”
Reusable one-pounders are popular among campers and tailgaters. They are ideal for fueling portable grills, small stoves, portable heaters, lanterns and more.
Alternative Fuel
U-Haul began selling propane in 1984 and became the largest U.S. retailer of propane by 1987. Today, U-Haul safely supplies propane to thousands of customers daily across the U.S. and Canada.
U-Haul promotes sustainable solutions through its core business model of truck and trailer sharing; by reusing of old and often vacant buildings for its new stores, which cuts down on new-construction emissions and helps cities with their unwanted inventory of unused buildings; through curbing emissions through fuel efficiency and the proximity of neighborhood dealers to residential areas; by offering green products like biodegradable packing peanuts, boxes made from recycled cardboard, and furniture blankets made from recycled denim; and also by offering in-store programs like Take A Box, Leave A Box and Re-Use Centers that serve as redistribution hubs for gently used household furnishings.
