Gas Can Exchange – Saturday, June 11th
Environmentally Friendly Gas Cans: Better for You and the Environment
Where can I exchange my old gas can?
A free gas can exchange will take place in Madison on Saturday, June 11, 2005, from 9
a.m. to 2 p.m., at Franklin Field, 1402 Wingra Creek Parkway. Dane County residents
can get a free spill-proof, environmentally friendly gas can by turning in their old empty
plastic or metal cans. There is a limit of two new Briggs & Stratton 2 ½ gallon gas cans
per household while supplies last. The gas can exchange is a program of Dane County
and the City of Madison, made possible by a grant from the University of WisconsinMadison, in a partnership with the Dane County Clean Air Coalition. After June 11th, old
gas cans may be exchanged at the Dane County and City of Madison Clean Sweep
location: 2302 Fish Hatchery Road at the north end of the Dane County Highway
complex. Supplies are limited.
Why exchange my old gas can?
Gas cans, like those used to fuel our lawn mowers and boats, can harm Dane County’s
air quality, water quality and our health. Spilled gas and gas vapors end up in the air,
water and soil. Gas contains many harmful pollutants called volatile organic compounds
(VOCs). Old, conventional style gas cans emit a significant amount of ozone-causing,
smog-forming pollution into the air every day. In fact, the estimated 167,000 gas cans in
Dane County emit roughly 1.2 tons a day of VOCs. That is equal to the same amount of
pollution from 14,000 cars on our highways.
Conventional gas cans have vents that release VOCs into the air. These VOCs react
with nitrogen oxides from vehicles and industries in the heat and sunlight of summer
skies to form ground-level ozone. Ozone affects the respiratory system by making it
difficult to breathe. Children and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, are
much more likely to be affected by ozone.
Storing conventional cans may pose a threat to the health of those in the home. When
old gas cans are stored in the basement or the garage, the toxic fumes emitted can
harm those with respiratory ailments. Additionally, a substantial amount of gasoline is
spilled each year that can contaminate our watersheds. It is estimated that Americans
while filling up lawnmowers, boat motors and stranded cars spill more than 9 million
gallons of gasoline every year – the equivalent of an oil supertanker.
What is an environmentally friendly gas can?
A gas can that:
 Automatically shuts off when the tank you’re filling is full
 Automatically closes and seals after dispensing fuel
 Remains tightly closed and sealed during storage
 Has only one opening for both filling and pouring
 Is made from high density plastic that reduces gasoline from permeating the
container
Why is an environmentally friendly gas can better?
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Better Outdoor Air – the most environmentally friendly cans reduce the amount
of ozone-causing vapors released into the air by 75%
Better Indoor Air – environmentally friendly cans release fewer vapors than
conventional cans and reduce odors and your exposure to toxic compounds in
your garage, shed or basement
Saves Fuel and Money – gas can leak, spill and evaporate from conventional
gas cans
Protects Your Family’s Health – gasoline vapors contain a number of toxic
chemicals, compounds such as benzene (a human carcinogen), that can be
harmful to your health
Child-Safe – spill-proof cans can protect children from accidental spills and
ingestion
Protects Water Quality – small gasoline spills can contaminate lakes, streams
and groundwater
Dane County Clean Air Coalition Members: City of Madison, Dane County, Greater Madison Chamber of
Commerce, Kraft Foods, Madison Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Madison Gas & Electric
Company, Madison Metropolitan School District, Petroleum Marketers Association of Wisconsin, University
of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Department of Administration, Department of Health and Family Services,
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Petroleum Council.