Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR), a leading industrial
manufacturer, is applauding the passage of legislation in
Connecticut that requires an industry-led, convenient and
operationally efficient stewardship recycling program for certain
residential gas cylinders.
The law applies to cylinders commonly used for camping,
grilling, DIY projects and celebrations requiring portable propane
and butane, hand-held torches and portable helium. In Connecticut,
industry management of the reclamation process stands to deliver up
to $200,000 in state savings annually, in addition to environmental
benefits from the removal of these recyclable cylinders from the
municipal solid waste system.
As part of this first-of-its-kind program in the United States,
Worthington Industries and other residential gas cylinder producers
will coordinate arrangements with qualified companies to pick up,
transport and recycle cylinders that are sold at retail locations
in Connecticut. The program also includes consumer education about
the proper end-of-life management of residential gas cylinders and
locations of collection sites. Public Act No. 22-27 (sHB 5142)
requires plans to be submitted by July 1, 2023 and implemented by
Oct. 1, 2025.
Connecticut State Senate Ranking Member of the Environment
Committee Craig Miner (R-Litchfield) and House Environment
Committee Chair Representative Joseph P. Gresko (D-Stratford) were
leading voices in favor of the legislation, which represents
modifications to the now-defunct House Bill 6386. After a
collaborative research and review process led by Worthington
Industries in conjunction with Connecticut’s Department of Energy
and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Housatonic Resources
Recovery Authority (HRRA), Sen. Miner and Rep. Gresko championed
the benefits of an extended producer responsibility (EPR)
initiative for residents, government and the environment.
“As a longtime sportsman and outdoor enthusiast, I know the
benefit of gas cylinders, but I also know we need a collection and
recycling system to ensure proper disposal,” said Sen. Miner. “I
challenged the industry to come up with a solution, and Worthington
Industries stepped up to the task. After months of diligent efforts
and conversations with all stakeholders, Worthington presented a
plan that will provide consumers with a convenient collection
system while minimizing the impact on retailers and municipal solid
waste facilities.”
“Through an open and informed dialogue, we accomplished all our
desired objectives regarding the discarding of residential gas
cylinders in our communities,” said Rep. Gresko. “This legislation
establishes a process for free, convenient and accessible statewide
collection, minimizes public sector involvement and enables
producers to be innovative in their approach while ensuring safe
handling after use and recycling of the products.” Rep. Gresko
continued, “While there was an exceptional amount of work to
achieve this outcome, we know the real work is ahead for producers
in implementing this program and helping our residents easily
follow best practices. Based on my experiences with Worthington
Industries throughout this process, I know this program will serve
Connecticut well and should be a model for other states to follow
in pursuit of a sustainable future.”
The scope of PA 22-27 includes “nonrefillable and refillable
cylinders with flammable pressurized gas, helium or carbon dioxide,
with between 0.5- and 50-pounds water capacity, that is supplied to
a consumer for personal, family or household use.” It covers
residential gas cylinders discarded at these locations: political
subdivisions of the state, transfer stations, material recovery
facilities, drop offs or events, disposal facilities, state parks
or private campgrounds, or other approved entities that are part of
an approved gas cylinder stewardship plan.
Jennifer Heaton-Jones, executive director of HRRA, provided
valuable perspectives representing waste management service
providers that collect and process pressurized cylinders. The HRRA
is the regional, governmental, solid waste and recycling authority
for the Housatonic Valley municipalities in western
Connecticut.
“This approach focuses on outcomes, provides for proper
oversight and enforcement, and establishes a timeline for
successful implementation,” Heaton-Jones said. “I believe
implementation of stewardship programs and EPR policies positively
motivate producers to consider total lifecycle costs and
environmental impacts in their product design and management. I am
grateful for the active listening, engagement and innovation of
several entities, including Worthington Industries, throughout this
process.”
As a leading U.S.-based cylinder manufacturer, Worthington
Industries is committed to working with the state of Connecticut,
Sen. Miner, Rep. Gresko, Heaton-Jones and others to support the
effective management of discarded residential gas cylinders. Annie
Lane, director of product sustainability for Worthington
Industries’ Consumer Products business, noted that the first step
was collaboratively discussing possible solutions based on
substantiated facts and lessons learned from similar programs.
“We believed that in working together we could develop an
innovative solution that would be convenient for consumers and
operationally efficient for all parties while delivering
sustainability benefits,” said Lane. “One of the best practice
examples we considered has been in place for several years in
Ontario, Canada. Among many results of the Ontario program, one
that particularly appealed to all of us was the opportunity for
brand owners to leverage their knowledge of the products and their
customers to increase participation, capture rates and performance.
We look forward to working toward improvements in Connecticut.”
For five months in 2021, Worthington Industries obtained
stakeholder input throughout Connecticut to understand the current
management of residential gas cylinders and seek feedback on a
potential approach. Stakeholder groups included local governments,
retailers, waste management service providers, waste-to-energy
facilities, propane distributors, state parks and private
campgrounds, colleges and state government.
Worthington Industries then delivered a comprehensive report and
recommendation to the Joint Standing Environment Committee of the
Connecticut General Assembly on Jan. 17, 2022. The Environment
Committee unanimously approved the revised bill on March 4, the
House passed the bill on April 13 and the Senate passed it on May
2. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed the bill into law on May
10, 2022.
Lane concluded, “We are looking forward to getting started in
Connecticut and replicating this collaborative and innovative
approach in other states to solve this recycling challenge. We
believe this proven formula includes maintaining a focus on
outcomes, ensuring a level playing field for producers and similar
products, providing for proper oversight and enforcement, and
establishing an achievable timeline to ensure a successful
implementation.”
More information on Connecticut’s innovative approach to
producer responsibility for gas cylinders including the full report
prepared by Worthington Industries is available at
https://worthingtonindustries.com/stewardship.
About Worthington IndustriesWorthington
Industries (NYSE:WOR) is a leading industrial manufacturing company
pursuing its vision to be the transformative partner to its
customers, a positive force for its communities and earn
exceptional returns for its shareholders. For over six decades, the
Company has been delivering innovative solutions to customers
spanning industries such as automotive, energy, retail and
construction. Worthington is North America’s premier value-added
steel processor and producer of laser welded solutions and
electrical steel laminations that provide lightweighting, safety
critical and emission reducing components to the mobility market.
Through on-board fueling systems and gas containment solutions,
Worthington serves the growing global hydrogen ecosystem. The
Company’s focus on innovation and manufacturing expertise extends
to market-leading consumer products in tools, outdoor living and
celebrations categories, sold under brand names, Coleman®,
Bernzomatic®, Balloon Time®, Mag Torch®, Well-X-Trol®, General®,
Garden-Weasel®, Pactool International® and Hawkeye™; as well as
market leading building products, including water systems, heating
& cooling solutions, architectural and acoustical grid ceilings
and metal framing and accessories.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington
operates 57 facilities in 15 states and nine countries, sells into
over 90 countries and employs approximately 9,500 people. Founded
in 1955, the Company follows a people-first philosophy with earning
money for its shareholders as its first corporate goal.
Relentlessly finding new ways to drive progress and transform,
Worthington is committed to providing better solutions for
customers and bettering the communities where it operates by
reducing waste, supporting community-based non-profits and
developing the next generations of makers.
Safe Harbor StatementWorthington Industries
wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act").
Statements by Worthington Industries which are not historical
information constitute "forward looking statements" within the
meaning of the Act. All forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ
from those projected. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially include risks, uncertainties and impacts
described from time to time in Worthington Industries’ filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those related to
COVID-19 and the various actions taken in connection therewith,
which could also heighten other risks.
Contacts:SONYA L. HIGGINBOTHAMVP, CORPORATE
COMMUNICATIONS AND BRAND MANAGEMENT614.438.7391 |
sonya.higginbotham@worthingtonindustries.com
MARCUS A. ROGIERTREASURER AND INVESTOR
RELATIONS OFFICER614.840.4663 |
marcus.rogier@worthingtonindustries.com
200 Old Wilson Bridge Rd. | Columbus, Ohio
43085WorthingtonIndustries.com
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