How to Recycle Aerosol Cans

Aerosol cans are used to store everything from personal care products to chemical products such as spray paint. While the can itself has the same value as other metal cans, the pressurized air inside and potentially hazardous contents make recycling a bit more complicated.

How to recycle aerosol cans correctly becomes an important thing in our daily life.

Aerosol Can Recycling Preparation

• Ensure aerosols are completely empty before recycling. Do your best to use up all the product inside. If the can still has product inside, even if it’s nonhazardous product like whipped cream, your recycling program will not accept it. The easiest way to make sure it’s empty is to shake the can and listen for liquid inside, or spray until nothing comes out.
• Removed and recycled plastic cap separately.
• Do not pierce, crush or flatten aerosol cans, and do not puncture a hole in the can to remove any remaining product, as the can will explode and hurt you.
• Do not attempt to remove the spray nozzle on top of the can.
• Find a drop-off location for aerosol cans near you using our Recycling Locator.

Around 60% of aerosols are made from tinplated steel and approx 40% are made from aluminium. Both of these metals are recyclable. Aerosols also contain some small plastic and rubber components including the lid, valve and dip tube which are extracted in the recycling process.