How to Recycle Aerosol Cans
Aerosol cans are made from either steel (about 75% of the time) or aluminum (about 25% percent of the time). This means that they are recyclable. In fact, most steel aerosol cans are made up of about 25% recycled material. They are extremely sustainable because, unlike many materials, aerosol cans can be recycled indefinitely without the metal breaking down or compromising the quality of the material. The U.S. EPA recommends that all aerosol cans(including ones used for pesticides) are recycled once they are empty.
Here are some tips on how to properly recycle aerosol cans.
1. Use up the entire product.
Aerosol cans are airtight so they can be stored and used for a long period of time since the product inside does not spoil or evaporate. You can recycle an aerosol can if you don’t use up the entire product, but to do that you have to take it to a hazardous waste facility which usually charge a small fee. There will probably still be remnants of the product in an aerosol can, but if you can no longer spray it, then it’s considered empty.
2. Dispose of the can through normal household waste disposal methods.
Read the directions on the label, or contact your local solid waste disposal office if you are unsure about a specific product. Never dispose of aerosol cans in roadside dumps or open fires.
3. Keep all materials intact.
The label on aerosol packaging is helpful to the staff of recycling centers in determining what is in the can and how to properly dispose of it. Never puncture an aerosol can. The contents are highly pressurized. Tampering with it can be dangerous for you and for the staff of the recycling facility. They puncture a hole in the can using the proper equipment and drain any remaining product. That is kept in a secure container so it can be disposed of properly, and the can is taken to a metal recycling facility.
