KMS Tools and the Environment

Here are some of the ways KMS Tools reduces waste:
Reduce, Re-use & Recycle

  • With our Tools for the World program, we go the extra several miles to keep old tools out of the landfills by giving them a new life overseas in developing countries, or when disaster strikes locally or abroad.  (Read more about the Tools for the World program here)
  • Our service shop repairs tools every day that would otherwise be tossed.
  • As part of our 5 Star Advantage Plan*, we offer a convenient trade-in value for used tools or machines.  The plan also provides an extra year warranty on a huge selection of tools and machines.  Both of these plans prolong the life of the tools, reducing waste.
  • Our distribution warehouses reuse shipping boxes and all the pallets that we can, repairing them as required to prolong their lifespans.  Several months ago Recycle BC canceled their pallet recycling program in the Lower Mainland.
  • We reuse and repurpose all kinds of display units, shelving, furnishings, and more, sometimes at the cost of a less-polished display.
  • We encourage our customers to subscribe to our e-flyer, and we limit our monthly flyer mail-outs to those who have subscribed, plus a few times a year we distribute them in local newspapers in select areas where our blue collar target market lives and works.
  • With our Custom And Restoration (C.A.R.) Parts division, we are also dedicated to keeping old cars that still have life from being scrapped, supplying the tools and parts to restore them, sometimes with more efficient modern engines.
  • Most KMS Tools locations have been upgraded to use the latest state of the art efficient lighting, heating systems, and the highest standard of AC, to minimize the impact on the planet.
  • Our offices have gone almost completely paper-free.
  • KMS Tools adheres to all city and provincial recycling programs, and goes beyond the norm.

KMS Tools is an industrial supplier of tools and equipment selling primarily to tradespeople and industry.
*Conditions Apply.

Additional Information in Response to the Press Article from March 14, 2023

Original Article:

Overview

We all agree recycling is important.  This Recycle BC program might seem like a step in the right direction for the environment on the surface, but when you take a closer look, you realize that this regulation doesn’t actually do anything new for the environment.  It is not effectively communicated, and is impossible to comply with for businesses like KMS Tools.  We need regulations that are clear, fair, and effective.

KMS Tools has always been active in our communities and we want to make sure any top-down program actually makes sense for everyone.  We recycle packaging and paper products at our branches and warehouses, pay for its removal, and we go above and beyond to prolong the lives of tools and other items. 

The fundamental issue here is not about recycling.  It is about a poorly written, implemented, and communicated top-down program making life hard for unique businesses like KMS Tools.

No one from Tri-Cities Dispatch contacted Stan prior to publishing the article to give him an opportunity to present his side.  Most of the information in the article was not accurately stated.  Stan did reach out to the journalist after the article was published and provided his information.  The journalist did add in a small amount of the provided information in a “response” section below the published article, however they refuse to follow their own journalistic standards   (https://tricitiesdispatch.com/code-of-ethics-journalistic-standards/)   and write an article to correct the misinformation. There is an opportunity here for a serious journalist to expose the truth about the program.

Continue reading “Additional Information in Response to the Press Article from March 14, 2023”

KMS Tools Cares About the Environment and Our Communities

Why we haven’t yet registered for the recycling plan, and how we work hard every day to have a positive impact on the environment and our communities

Real Solutions

KMS Tools is entirely in favour of recycling.  We too, hope future generations will have a thriving planet to enjoy and take care of.  KMS Tools happily recycles to the standards in each municipality we’re located in.  This, however, is not the issue at hand.  The issue we’re facing now is an additional set of impractical rules being imposed on a small percentage of businesses; and what we are fighting for is a feasible solution that has a positive and tangible impact.  Most of us will agree that there is room for improvement in BC’s recycling program, and that a fair, attainable plan is needed to better our planet.  The article you may have read, unfortunately misrepresents what actually happened and what was said.  In a nutshell, KMS Tools owner, Stan Pridham, has asked many times how he can comply with the regulations that only 0.25% of BC businesses have found a way to adhere to, but the ministry has not provided these solutions as of yet.  We are still very much in dialogue with the ministry and have no problem complying when a real practical solution can be found.

Above and Beyond

Not only does KMS Tools meet and exceed current standard recycling requirements, we go above and beyond to keep old tools out of the landfills.  In 2009, Stan Pridham started the charity program, Tools for the World, which has repurposed hundreds of thousands of tools, saving them from being discarded.  The tools are then put to good use overseas, and occasionally within Canada, when disaster strikes.  These donated tools have gone to 50 countries and counting, in nearly every continent.  They help rebuild communities after natural or man-made disasters, or are used to train young men and women in a trade who are phasing out of an orphanage, or learning to get on their feet.  They build much needed infrastructure in developing countries, and provide a means for people to support their families.  The program works by collecting unneeded tools in our communities, which are sorted and repaired by local volunteers.  In the sorting and repairing process, any tools or parts that are not worth sending overseas are recycled locally.  The tools that go to a new home offer much needed new hope to their recipients.  After all, the second “R” of Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, is better than the third!  (Read more about the Tools for the World program here) 

Thank You

We want to thank the many customers who have reached out during this time to support us.  KMS Tools cannot exist without great customers like you.  We also want to thank our great staff who have been fielding many questions on this topic.  Finally, we would absolutely love to see an innovative and practical recycling program come to fruition in BC and across Canada.  We hope that with your support, and our dialogue with the ministry, we can accomplish this, so we can experience the flourishing environment and communities we all long for.

For further information, please see additional blog post: https://blog.kmstools.com/2023/03/24/additional-information-in-response-to-the-press-article-from-march-14th/

You Could Win the Value of Your February Welder Purchase!

You Could Win the Value of Your February Welder Purchase!
3 Prizes to be Won!
February is a great month to buy a welder! You could win the value of your February welder purchase up to $2500! 3 prizes will be won! Enter in February, 2023 for your chance to win by purchasing either a Miller welder, an ESAB welder or a Lincoln Electric welder. Purchase at any of our 14 KMS Tools locations or from kmstools.com. As soon as you buy a qualifying welder you are automatically entered, your invoice is your entry ballot. Shop all eligible welders.

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Makita Trade Day Featuring XGT

Makita Trade Day Featuring XGT is on this weekend at KMS Tools In Coquitlam at 110 Woolridge Street. on Saturday, October 29th! 1 day only! Come on down and check out the many 1 day Makita promotions!

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Build Something is Back Again!

Been building/crafting/making anything lately? Show us your project and be entered to WIN a $100 gift card to KMS Tools!

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Milwaukee MX Fuel Events

Milwaukee Days are on this weekend at KMS Tools Kamloops on Friday,  August 26 and KMS Tools Kelowna on Saturday, August 27! 1 day only at each store! Check out the 1 day promotions! Come check out the new MX Fuel, and get your hands on Milwaukee’s must-haves. Reps will be on site to tell you what’s new, answer your every Milwaukee question, and dish out some hot deals…like BOGO on MX FUEL, Free up to $5,000 value! 40% off regular price on popular Milwaukee reciprocating saw blades & sets and on Hole Saw Kits and individual hole saws! Buy $100 off any Milwaukee safety gear and accessories & receive a FREE PACKOUT MILW-48228435. The sale is only available in store at KMS Tools Kamloops and KMS Tools Kelowna during the Milwaukee event date and hours. See in store for additional details and for more 1 day promotions. 1 day only! Don’t miss out!

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Tools For The World at the Garage Sale – August 18 – 20, 2022

Great news!!  We’ve had more Tools for the World donations over the last couple years than we’ve been able to distribute overseas!

In order to reduce the backlog of donated tools, some of them will be up for sale at our KMS Garage Sales, Aug 18-20, and 110% of the proceeds from these tools will help other tools reach the countries that need them most!

Continue reading “Tools For The World at the Garage Sale – August 18 – 20, 2022”