How to Recycle Aerosols: Eco-Friendly Disposal Tips

In today’s world, focusing on sustainability is key, making aerosol recycling crucial. Every year, many aerosol cans are thrown away wrongly, adding to landfill waste. Studies show that in the USA, only 30% of aerosol cans are recycled. This is despite the production of 3.5 billion cans annually. Knowing how to dispose of these cans eco-friendly can help. This article explores how to recycle aerosol cans properly, looking at local rules and safe disposal methods. Doing this can really help our planet.

It’s also key to note that aerosols can be seen as hazardous waste because of what’s inside them. Getting ready the right way is crucial to stop accidents like fires at recycling places, which have happened due to wrong disposal. So, using sustainable ways to throw away aerosols can help keep our environment safe. It also saves resources.

Key Takeaways

• Only 30% of aerosol cans in the U.S. are recycled, showing a big chance for betterment.
• Aerosol cans can be hazardous; it’s vital to dispose of them correctly to avoid accidents.
• Make sure aerosol cans are totally empty before recycling to improve safety and efficiency.
• Using local services and programs can simplify the recycling process.
• Giving away partly full aerosol cans is a good way to cut down on waste.

The Importance of Recycling Aerosol Cans

The need to manage aerosol waste properly is urgent. The United States makes an astonishing 3.5 billion aerosol cans every year. The environmental impact of aerosol cans is worrisome with only 30% being recycled, showing a big gap in responsible disposal.

Aerosol cans are mainly made of recyclable stuff like aluminium and steel. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) often labels aerosol cans as hazardous. This is because of the volatile stuff they hold inside. When not disposed of correctly, they can damage the environment and be a safety hazard, like causing fires.

The benefits of recycling aerosols are clear. It helps with waste management and can save money for businesses. Systems like Aerosolv® turn dangerous aerosol cans into safe, recyclable material. This meets environmental rules and supports sustainability.

There’s a big plan to get the aerosol can recycling rate to 85% by 2030. Raising awareness and teaching people how to dispose of them properly is crucial. If we don’t get better at recycling, the harmful contents and flammability of aerosol cans will continue to be a big risk for everyone.

Statistic	Value
Annual production of aerosol cans in the U.S.	3.5 billion
Percentage recycled	30%
Recycling rate target by 2030	85%
Annual savings from a 50% recycling rate	$39 million+
Greenhouse gas reductions per can recycled	Equivalent to driving 0.5 miles

Understanding Aerosol Can Composition

Aerosol cans are mainly made of tin-plated steel and aluminium. These materials last a long time and can be recycled. Recycling metal helps the planet. Aerosol cans are designed to safely contain a propellant and the product under pressure.

The propellant is crucial for aerosol cans. Most use a liquid gas, and about 10% use compressed gas. This affects their environmental impact. CFCs were once used but were stopped in the 1970s because they harmed the ozone layer. In 1987, 191 countries agreed to stop using substances that harm the ozone.

It’s important to understand aerosol can materials and functions. The EPA says 40% of hazardous waste sent to special facilities yearly includes aerosol cans. It’s essential to empty cans before recycling them. You can put empty cans in metal recycling bins.

In the UK, 600 million aerosol cans are used each year. That’s about ten cans per person. It’s important to throw them away properly. Aerosol cans have a special design that keeps the propellant and product safe. A curved bottom helps with this, allowing the gas to push the product out effectively.

Propellant Type	Usage in Aerosol Cans	Environmental Impact
Liquid Gas	Majority of aerosol cans	Lower environmental risk
Compressed Gas	About 10% of aerosol cans	Minimal, but requires proper handling
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)	No longer permitted	Damaging to ozone layer

How to Recycle Aerosols

Recycling aerosol cans must be done carefully to stay safe and follow local rules. It’s important to prepare them right for recycling. This makes sure the process is safe and green. Learning the correct way to prepare these cans helps increase recycling rates and ensures safer disposal.

Steps for Proper Preparation

To recycle aerosol cans, make sure to:

1. Empty the can completely. Shake it to check for any remaining liquid.
2. Remove all plastic caps because they shouldn’t be mixed with metals during recycling.
3. Use a system like Aerosolv for safe recycling of leftover contents, making them “RCRA-empty”.

What to Look For in Local Recycling Guidelines

Recycling rules for aerosols can differ by area. You should:

• Check your local recycling rules to see if you can recycle aerosol cans like other metals.
• Find out if aerosol cans are seen as hazardous waste in your area, needing special disposal.
• Keep up with any special programs or rules for recycling aerosol cans safely and legally.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Recycling aerosol cans is simple if you do it right. But, many people make mistakes that complicate recycling. Knowing these errors helps with safer, more effective recycling.

Leaving the Cap On

Leaving the plastic cap on aerosol cans is a common error. It makes recycling hard because recyclers can’t process metal and plastic together. Always check if your local programme takes #5 plastics before recycling the cap.

Not Ensuring the Can is Completely Empty

Not checking if an aerosol can is empty is another big mistake. A can is empty when it’s no more than 3% full and has less than an inch of residue. Leftover pressurised contents can be dangerous, possibly causing explosions. Always dispose of leftovers according to your community’s rules.

Removing the Nozzle

Taking off the nozzle from an aerosol can is risky. Nozzles can be hazardous if the can is pressurised. Trying to remove it can cause the can to burst. This is dangerous. It’s safer to leave the nozzle on to avoid accidents.

Safe Disposal of Hazardous Contents

When you throw away aerosol cans, you need to be very careful. These cans are seen as hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They can have dangerous chemicals. In the United States, we use about 3.5 billion aerosol cans a year. Sadly, only 30 percent are recycled. This shows we have a big chance to do better in getting rid of hazardous waste safely.

Throwing these cans away the wrong way can be dangerous. It can even cause fires. This was proven after a fire broke out at a recycling center. That’s why it’s so important to get rid of disposal safety correctly. There are special programs that help you dispose of these cans safely.

The EPA made new rules to help manage these cans better. A can has to be almost empty to be consider ‘RCRA-empty’. That means it can’t have more than 3% of what it first had inside. Using tools like the Aerosolv aerosol recycling systems helps a lot. They make it easier and safer to dispose of these cans, which is good for our planet.

Municipal centers offer to pick up hazardous waste from homes. This helps make sure aerosol cans are getting rid of the right way. They don’t end up where they shouldn’t. For companies that use a lot of these cans, there are experts who can help. They know how to make the cans safe and recycle them.

Aerosol Can Models	Features	Suitable For
Aerosolv 5000	Durable materials, compliant disposal	Small to medium producers
Aerosolv 360	Efficient conversion of hazardous to non-hazardous	High-volume producers
Aerosolv 7000 XL	Additional safety features, CA compliant	Various industries

Knowing your local laws for throwing away aerosol cans is vital. It helps protect the environment and keeps people safe. Get involved with your community’s efforts. Together, we can make sure we’re disposing of hazardous cans properly.

Benefits of Recycling Aerosol Cans

Recycling aerosol cans is good for both the environment and economy. It not only brings recycling benefits but also helps preserve valuable resources.

Environmental Impact

Recycled aerosol cans are great for the planet. They reuse materials, cutting down on new resource use. This lowers the carbon footprint made by making new metals.

For example, recycling one can cuts greenhouse gas emissions as much as a half-mile drive would. In 2016, producing 3.5 billion aerosol cans used 437,500 tons of steel. Recycling is vital to protect our planet from pollution and waste.

Resource Conservation

It’s important to focus on conserving resources. Recycling cans reduces the high costs of hazardous waste disposal. It can be as much as $750 for a 55-gallon drum treated as hazardous.

The Aerosolv system recycles cans safely, following the RCRA standards. With recycled steel valued at about $131 million, recycling has clear economic benefits. The Aerosol Recycling Initiative aims for 85% recycling access by 2030, promoting sustainability and environmental benefits.

Statistic	Value
Aerosol cans consumed annually in the US	Over 3 billion
Cost of hazardous waste disposal per drum	$750
Recycled steel market value from aerosol cans	$131 million
Greenhouse gas emissions reduced per recycled can	Equivalent to driving half a mile
Savings for a packaging plant recycling	$4,550 per year
Recycling access target by ARI by 2030	85%
Total projection of economic benefits at 50% recycling	Over $39 million annually

Finding Local Recycling Resources

Finding where to recycle aerosol cans locally is crucial. Many communities have different methods to help. This lets people choose the best way to recycle.

Utilising Recycling Locator Tools

Recycling locator tools guide people to the right spots for disposing of items. The What Goes Where tool in the Recycle Coach app is one example. It shows where to find places for recycling aerosol cans, raising awareness of local programs.

Contacting Your Local Council

Asking your local council provides useful info on recycling programs. They tell you if you can leave aerosol cans out for curbside collection or take them to special centres. Knowing this helps families recycle more efficiently.

Local Council	Recycling Program Information	Community Initiatives
Arlington Heights	Offers HHW pick-up service	Recycling awareness events
Chicago	Household Chemicals Facility – check schedule	Curbside recycling education
Naperville	Weekend HHW drop-off facility	Community cleanup days
Lake County	Appointment-based HHW collections	Public recycling workshops

Conclusion

Aerosol recycling is key to sustainable and eco-friendly disposal. It deals with the complex makeup of aerosol cans. Knowing how to properly prepare and dispose of them makes a big difference. This reduces their long time to break down in nature, which can be up to 200 years.

It’s important to know your local recycling rules. Most empty aerosols go in yellow bins, but full ones need special handling. Since aluminum recycles better than plastics and PET used in aerosols is versatile, we must tell people more about these options. This could make recycling rates better.

When communities work together on recycling, the environment wins. Following local rules and helping with waste management lets everyone help our world stay green. This supports our goal of a better aerosol recycling system that cares for our planet.

FAQ

Are aerosol cans recyclable?

Yes, aerosol cans made of steel or aluminium can be recycled. They must be prepared and emptied properly before disposal.

What should I do if my aerosol can is not completely empty?

Make sure the can is empty by shaking it and listening for liquid. If it’s not empty, follow your local hazardous waste disposal rules.

Can I recycle aerosol cans in my curbside collection?

This varies by location. Some places allow aerosol cans in curbside recycling. Others need you to take them to special drop-off points. Always check local recycling advice.

What are the dangers of improper aerosol can disposal?

Disposing of cans wrongly can cause fires and harm recycling workers and the environment. This is due to the chemicals and propellant left inside.

How do I find local recycling options for aerosol cans?

For local recycling info, try the Recycle Coach app’s What Goes Where feature. Or, contact your local council for specific guidance.

What are common mistakes to avoid when recycling aerosol cans?

Don’t leave the plastic cap on, ensure the can is fully empty, and don’t try to take off the nozzle if it’s pressurised. Avoiding these helps recycling.

Why is it important to recycle aerosol cans?

Recycling them saves valuable resources and cuts landfill waste. It also lowers pollution from improper disposal.

What types of aerosol cans are considered hazardous?

Cans with cleaning solvents, paints, or chemicals are hazardous. They need careful disposal via special hazardous waste programs.