If your business uses aerosol cans and they are not disposed of properly, you’re not only violating hazardous waste laws, you’re actually putting safety at risk. Aerosol cans contain pressurized propellants and hazardous chemicals, which can endanger your team, waste management workers and the environment, if not handled safely.
Why Improper Aerosol Can Disposal is Dangerous
The main dangers with improper aerosol can disposal are explosions due crushing or burning, fire due to flammable propellants, projectile hazards in the event the pressurized canister ruptures, and environmental damage.
- Explosions & Fires – Crushing, puncturing or burning pressurized aerosol cans can trigger an explosion or sudden blast and ignite flammable propellants, such as propane or butane, causing a chemical fire.
- Shrapnel Injuries – If intact or partially full aerosol cans are thrown into industrial compactors, incinerators or burn barrels, and trigger an explosion, workers can suffer severe injuries from flying metal fragments.
- Toxic Exposure – Puncturing cans with screwdrivers or letting them passively bleed out, can expose workers to flammable propellant gases and toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Environmental Damage – Leaking contents from discarded canisters can release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air and seep chemical residues into local soil and groundwater.
How to Dispose of Aerosol Cans Safely
Businesses have two options for disposing of aerosol cans safely, depending on whether the cans are full or empty.
- Full, partially full or damaged aerosol cans may be disposed of by following the EPA’s Universal Waste Program rules and regulations, which require the cans to be stored in sealed, labeled containers, and transported to an appropriate disposal facility.
- Completely empty, non-hazardous aerosols may be disposed of in your standard metal recycling, provided they have been safely punctured and drained using an EPA- and OSHA-compliant device.
In general, puncturing and draining aerosol cans with an EPA-approved aerosol can recycling system is best for high-volume commercial generators, such as manufacturers, maintenance and industrial facilities. This method significantly reduces waste volume and allows for standard recycling, which is often more cost-effective over time.
The Universal Waste Program is better for households and small businesses who generate a small volume of aerosol cans. This method can become costly if your business generates a lot of aerosol can waste, especially if you use a commercial hauler and are paying to transport the weight of the steel or aluminum, as well as the liquid contents.
Safely Dispose of Aerosol Cans with the Can-Emitor
Keep your workers safe, reduce your waste management costs, and remain fully OSHA and EPA compliant with the only completely-sealed aerosol can disposal and recycling system on the market. The Can-Emitor is available as a single item or as part of a kit with everything you need to recycle and dispose of aerosol cans.
Watch our video to see how the Can-Emitor works, browse our FAQs, and order online for prompt delivery throughout the U.S.
