From garages to hairdressers, businesses in a variety of sectors use aerosols. Aerosol cans are favoured as they make products last longer and can be more cost-effective compared to non-aerosol products. Once finished with an aerosol can, they should be disposed of responsibly and in compliance with environmental guidelines.
While it can be tempting to throw away your used aerosol cans into general waste, this guide will provide the information you need for safe disposal.
We’ll explore the most eco-friendly waste management practices for your aerosol cans, including how and where they can be recycled. Understanding the best ways to get rid of full and empty aerosols helps you avoid unnecessary fines, stay safe, and create a greener future.
Table of contents
How to Dispose of Aerosol Cans
What to Do with Full Aerosol Cans
Dispose of Aerosol Cans Responsibly
What Are Aerosol Cans?
Aerosol cans are self-contained dispensers that hold liquids. These liquids are released as fine mists and can be used for paints, bug sprays, deodorants, cleaning products, and more.
Aerosols work using carbon dioxide, butane, or propane. The high-pressure gases propel liquid out of the can when the valve is pressed, which is broken up by the nozzle and turned into a spray.
The main aerosol can types include:
- Household: This covers cleaning products for homes, businesses, and gardens. Kitchen and bathroom surface cleaners, wood polish, air fresheners, insecticides, and herbicides fall into this category.
- Cosmetics: Beauty and personal care products make up 50% of Europe’s total aerosol production. This includes deodorants, hairsprays, dry shampoos, gel toothpaste, shaving foam, self-tanners, and sun protectants.
- Medical: Pharmaceutical aerosols play a crucial role in supporting health and well-being in hospitals, GP surgeries, and first aid kits. Medical aerosol cans include disinfectants, anaesthetics, inhalers, and coolants.
- Food: Whipped cream, icing, cheese spreads, and cooking oil often come in aerosol cans.
- Industrial: From construction to manufacturing, aerosols hold items useful for technical maintenance and cleaning. These products include paints, tyre and engine cleaners, lubricating oils, silicones to protect plastic, de-icer, and upholstery cleaners.
The Dangers of Aerosols
If not carefully handled, aerosols cause significant harm to humans, machinery, and the wider environment.
Aerosol cans pose a risk of explosion due to their pressurised liquid and gas contents, especially when crushed or exposed to heat. Those containing hazardous substances like cleaners, insecticides, varnishes, and adhesives offer a greater threat, particularly if these chemicals are inhaled.
They’re also highly flammable and can cause other hazardous materials or dangerous substances to ignite when placed nearby.
Aerosols can become a dangerous projectile that injures anyone standing close by, while also releasing toxic gases into the air. These gases are mainly made of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that emit more harmful pollution than all vehicles in the UK and trigger respiratory illness.
How to Dispose of Aerosol Cans
The most common way to dispose of aerosol cans is through recycling. 60% of aerosols are made from tin-plated steel, while 40% consist of aluminium, which are both recyclable. This means they can be placed into your recycling bin with other dry mixed materials.
As well as facilitating safe disposal, recycling empty aerosol cans reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill sites. This minimises greenhouse gas emissions, helping to slow the rate of climate change and protect our planet. Businesses that recycle also pay less landfill tax and demonstrate their eco-friendly values to customers.
Before throwing empty aerosol cans away you should:
- Ensure they are empty to stop the contents from exploding.
- Do not crush, flatten, or pierce the cans. This can cause uncontrolled spraying that releases toxic gases and leads to an explosion.
- Remove any loose or detachable parts, as they may not fall into the same recycling category. Many aerosol cans and lids, for instance, are made from plastic, so might need to go into a separate recycling bin.
However, recycling regulations vary depending on where you’re based. Some may instead advise disposing of aerosol cans with general waste. Check your local council’s website to ensure that aerosols can be recycled, or risk penalties and fines.
What to Do with Full Aerosol Cans
Businesses have a duty of care to sort and store waste safely and securely. These responsibilities are increased when dealing with hazardous waste, including chemicals, batteries, asbestos, solvents, pesticides, and full aerosol cans. Business owners and managers must ensure that hazardous waste causes no harm to humans or the environment.
They must also make sure that the waste is:
- Safely transported by a licensed waste collection company
- Packaged and labelled correctly to ensure correct disposal by the carrier
- Accompanied by a waste transfer note with key details
- Disposed of at a registered facility
Pressurised gas cans are at risk of explosion when full, especially if they’re accidentally pierced or flattened during transportation by large waste loads. So, they shouldn’t be thrown away with your recycling or general waste.
Instead, dispose of your aerosols at a hazardous waste disposal facility, which will have dedicated drop-off points for hazardous materials. Here, specialised machines will safely drain the cans of any leftover liquid. The can’s components are then separated into metals and plastics ready for recycling. These materials can be repurposed to make new aerosol cans, electrical appliances, mobile phones, and even vehicles.
If you’re worried about disposing of your aerosols safely or are a commercial organisation with a large number of cans, hire a waste management service.
A reliable waste company will collect your aerosols whenever necessary to prevent hazardous waste build-up. This saves significant time and money since your operations won’t be disrupted and you’ll only pay for the tailored collection services you need.
Good waste management companies also ensure safe, effective, and eco-friendly disposal, recycling where possible while complying with local and national waste regulations.
Dispose of Aerosol Cans Responsibly
Properly disposing of your used aerosol cans ensures you’re maintaining legal standards, keeping your household or workplace safe, and protecting the planet too. By reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills, recycling empty aerosols also allows you to give back to the community and conserve natural resources, therefore reducing your environmental impact.
If you’re worried about handling full aerosol cans, hazardous material disposal services offer effective, convenient ways to recycle without harming yourself or the environment. Be sure to check local council regulations and follow the right disposal procedures to manage your aerosol waste responsibly.
Read more about waste management services in your area to make sustainable, eco-friendly choices for aerosol can disposal.
FAQs
Can aerosol cans be recycled?Yes, most aerosol cans are made from tin-plated steel or aluminium, both of which are recyclable. However, you must ensure they are empty and check local recycling guidelines, as rules may vary.
What happens if I dispose of aerosol cans incorrectly?Improper disposal can lead to explosions, toxic gas emissions, and environmental damage. Full or partially full cans should never be placed in general waste or recycling bins, as they pose safety risks.
How do I know if my aerosol can is empty?Shake the can and press the nozzle to see if any liquid or gas remains. If nothing comes out and the can feels lighter, it is likely empty and ready for recycling.
Where can I dispose of full aerosol cans?Full or partially full aerosol cans should be taken to a hazardous waste disposal facility. Waste management companies can also collect and dispose of them safely for businesses.
Can I crush or pierce aerosol cans before disposal?No, aerosol cans should never be crushed, pierced, or flattened, as they are pressurised and could explode, causing serious injury or releasing harmful substances.
Are aerosol cans considered hazardous waste?Empty aerosol cans are not hazardous, but full or partially full cans containing chemicals, solvents, or flammable gases are classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly.
