The dark green color of many propane tanks might suggest theyre environmentally friendly — but theyre actually a strain on park resources.

　　Every year, millions of propane tanks are abandoned at campsites or tossed in a landfill because proper disposal is both costly and dangerous. But its now easier than ever for many campers and hikers to opt for refillable propane tanks. Thats because California-based Little Kamper will get a boost from REI Co-op this year.

　　The national co-op began offering the refillable tanks from Little Kamper in a few California stores after the state passed a law banning single-use propane canisters. Though the ban doesnt go into effect until 2028, REI spent the last year-and-a-half adding Little Kampers refillable propane canisters to a handful of California stores in the Bay Area. By late March, the co-op plans to expand the program to 50 locations in California and Colorado.

　　Moreover, Little Kamper is becoming increasingly available at national parks throughout the country. The brand is now available at various retailers located within 10 national parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Big Bend, and Grand Canyon.

　　Another five national parks, several of them in Utah, will likely start carrying the cans this year. Its heartening to see other companies support Little Kampers mission to reduce waste, Josh Simpson, the brands vice president of marketing, told GearJunkie.

　　A Slow Change From Disposable Tanks The problem is going to exist for a while. But as a large company with a substantial role to play in the marketplace, REI is stepping forward in a way that other companies have not yet, he said. We’ve talked to many other sporting goods companies, and truthfully, I don’t think they use sustainability in calculations about how to choose products.

　　We still see on an ongoing basis what that waste stream looks like, and it’s a powerful motivating force for us, Simpson said. Our growth plans are truthfully about working with companies that understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.

　　Yosemite National Park officials must dispose of 24,000 propane cans left at campsites every year; (screenshot/Yosemite Conservancy) Little Kampers Reusable Propane Tanks So how can you skip the single-use propane canisters — which REI will also continue to sell — and opt for the sustainable solution from Little Kamper to fuel your camp stove? Once youve found the closest seller on the Little Kamper website, you can purchase one of the brands refillable canisters for about $22. Once empty, you can go back and exchange it for a full tank for $10 —just like refilling your grills gas at a grocery store.

　　REI customers have been requesting the program for some time, Nicole Ryan,the companys camp merchandising buyer, told GearJunkie this week.

　　Millions of discarded single-use propane canisters end up in landfills every year, Ryan said. If REI can reduce that number in even a small way, it’s worth our time and investment.

　　Another great option for consumers who want to reduce waste and save money is to use a refillable 3-pound or 5-pound tank. Available at REI or even Home Depot, tanks like Igniks Gas Growlers cost between $50 and $80 and can be filled at any propane station for just a few bucks.

　　Theyre a great solution for car camping and run for months without needing a refill. And theyll pay for themselves in just a few trips as refills are much cheaper than buying disposable tanks.

　　REI Refillable Propane Tanks vs. Disposable Tanks Many propane tanks may look refillable —such as those sold by brands like Coleman and Bernzomatic — but theyre not. Of the roughly 40 million single-use canisters sold in the U.S. every year, many end up in landfills. And since many of the cans still have gas in them, they can explode or ignite a fire when compressed by garbage trucks or compactors.

　　Consumers have been critically injured and killed as a result of refilling propane tanks, according to the nonprofit California Product Stewardship Council. In California alone, more than 4 million single-use propane tanks are sold each year, but only 1 million are recycled through the Household Hazardous Waste programs offered by local governments, the organization said.

　　Play Difficult Disposal Proper disposal is not only dangerous, but its also expensive. According to Little Kamper, which makes the refillable canisters now available at some REI stores, the collection, transportation, hazardous waste processing, and recycling of a discarded single-use propane cylinder can cost as much as three times the retail cost of the cylinder.

　　Based in Manteca, Calif., the Little Kamper brand partnered with the Yosemite Zero Landfill initiative in 2021. That helped park officials collect and dispose of 24,000 cylinders taken from the national parks campground each year. The brands dedication to consumer safety and sustainability is why REI Co-op decided to work them, Ryan said.  

　　But knowing the scale of the problem also means that Little Kamper understands it will take time to address it, said Simpson. While hes optimistic about Little Kampers future, it will be a long hike to shake off the dominance of single-use products.

　　We still see on an ongoing basis what that waste stream looks like, and it’s a powerful motivating force for us, Simpson said. Our growth plans are truthfully about working with companies that understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.

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