How to Dispose of Spray Paint and Other Aerosol Cans

According to Recycling International, the United States produces 3.5 billion aerosol cans every year. But not everyone that uses them knows how to dispose of aerosol cans. Since most of these metal cans are steel or aluminum, they are recyclable. However, only 30 percent of these cans ever make it to the recycling bin to be used as scrap metal.

To make matters worse, due to the volatile propellants used to pressurize their contents, most aerosol cans are considered hazardous waste by the EPA. The contents of the can (i.e., brake cleaning fluids, paints, sealants, cleaning products and solvents, hair spray, pesticides, cooking spray, sunscreen, etc.) could also be hazardous and exhibit properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity.

A single aerosol can seem like an innocent item. What harm could an aerosol can do? How much impact could one more aerosol can have in a landfill site? The problem is, it’s not just one can. Throwing aerosol cans into the trash is bad for the environment. Improperly disposing of aerosol cans is also non-compliant and unsafe.

Spray Can Disposal – The Risks of Flammable Hazardous Waste

Even when a can seems empty, there is some residual product and propellent remaining, which has the potential to ignite. Unless aerosol cans are completely emptied in a safe manner, they pose a risk for recycling or landfill workers. In fact, you should never dispose of waste aerosol cans in the trash for this very reason. A prominent recycling company experienced a fire at their facility caused by an aerosol spray can.

While property damage due to a fire is bad, the consequences can be more dire. Mark Cadieux, a warehouse operator at a trash facility in Newark, NJ, is facing manslaughter charges after the illegal dumping of cans into a rented dumpster in May 2022 sparked a deadly 5-alarm fire and claimed the life of a Waste Management worker. According to state investigators, Cadieux allegedly improperly disposed of cans containing pressurized dry shampoo knowing their hazardous nature. After a year-long investigation, authorities found evidence pointing to Cadieux's actions. The incident highlights the dangers of illegal dumping and the need for proper hazardous waste disposal.

Additionally, Cadieux faces environmental violations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), a federal law in the United States that establishes a framework for the management of hazardous waste. RCRA regulates the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste to protect human health and the environment. In the context of aerosol cans, there are specific regulations under RCRA that apply.

In 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made changes to RCRA regulations regarding aerosol cans. Previously, aerosol cans were subject to certain hazardous waste regulations, which could be burdensome for businesses. However, the EPA has added aerosol cans to the Universal Waste Regulations, which provides a more streamlined and protective system for handling hazardous aerosol cans.

Under the Universal Waste Regulations, aerosol cans can be managed as universal waste instead of hazardous waste. This change is expected to reduce regulatory costs for a wide range of establishments, including the retail sector, by providing a clearer and more efficient system for managing and recycling aerosol cans.

It's important to note that the specific requirements for managing aerosol cans under RCRA can vary depending on their contents and whether they are empty or still contain hazardous materials or waste. The criteria for a can to be considered “RCRA-empty” include that the can must be empty of any material that is a hazardous waste and no longer contain any more than 3% by weight of the original contents or 0.3% by weight for ignitable materials. One of the most effective methods for ensuring empty cans meet the criteria is by using an appropriate aerosol recycling system such as Aerosolv.

How to Dispose of Spray Paint and Other Aerosol Cans Using Aerosolv®

Stay compliant and safe with an Aerosolv® aerosol recycling system. Installation is easy on a standard 55-gallon drum. Thread the Aerosolv unit into the 2-inch bung and the filter directly to the ¾-inch bung. Screw the puncturing device into the bung opening. Be sure to use anti-static wires to ground the unit so static electricity doesn’t build up.

Spray can disposal is easy to accomplish. To empty aerosol cans, insert can, nozzle end down, into the housing sleeve. Lower the top plate and tighten the lock knob. Push the handle completely down and hold into place. A steel pin punctures the can, allowing propellant and residual liquid product to drain into the 55-gallon drum. Wait at least 20 seconds to ensure all product drains. Now considered "RCRA-empty," the processed aerosol can is ready for recycling.

Purchase an Aerosolv Can Disposal System Today

Stay compliant and save money by adding an Aerosolv aerosol can system to your business’s recycling program today.  Different models are available to match the amount of waste generated.

Aerosolv 5000 Recycling System

Our most popular and affordable model, the Aerosolv 5000 (model 38202), is a reliable system for safe and eco-friendly aerosol can disposal. Made from durable aircraft aluminum with stainless steel parts, it's easy to install and use. It accepts various sizes of aerosol cans and the non-sparking pin punctures them for easy disposal of residual liquids. Moreover, the two-piece coalescing filter and carbon cartridge capture odors and harmful VOCs, promoting compliance with safe disposal practices.

Aerosolv360 Aerosol Can Recycling for High-Volume Producers

Ideal for high volume applications, the Aerosolv360 system converts hazardous aerosol cans into non-hazardous, recyclable material. With an easy-to-use design that threads into a standard 2-inch bung on a 30- or 55-gallon drum, it accepts cans up to 3 inches in diameter and 8 inches in height. The system features a sleek and secure design, including a mechanical activation wheel, integrated lock out system, and tamper-proof retention plate. It efficiently punctures cans with a non-sparking pin, directing liquid flow into the drum for controlled evacuation. The system also includes a two-stage high-efficiency filter for capturing VOCs, a replaceable coalescer for extending filter life, and safety accessories. One 55-gallon drum can hold about 4,000 cans, which can then be treated as recyclable scrap metal in compliance with EPA regulations.

Aerosolv 7000 XL Recycling System - Compliant in California

For more stringent requirements, check out the Aerosolv® 7000 XL Dual-Compliant aerosol can recycling system, which offers a safe and efficient solution for disposing of aerosol cans while meeting the California Universal Waste Rule. This system includes the addition of a shut-off valve in the puncturing unit and a check valve in the carbon cartridge to prevent off-gassing. To ensure compliance during accumulation or transportation of processed cans, a poly lid cover and poly containment sump are included. The unit comes with an Aerosolv 7163 combination coalescing colormetric carbon filter, a padlock with key, anti-static ground wire with C-clamp, and safety goggles.
The Aerosolv® 7000 XL system is EPA compliant and ETV certified, providing assurance of its high quality and effectiveness in safe aerosol can recycling.