Disposal and Recycling of Aerosol Cans
Aerosol cans, including hairspray, deodorant, cooking spray, air freshener, spray paint, lubricants, pesticides, and cleaners, require different disposal methods depending on whether they are completely empty and what product they contained.
Do not place a partially full, leaking, damaged, or still-pressurized aerosol can in curbside recycling or household trash. These cans may contain flammable propellants, solvents, pesticides, or other hazardous ingredients and can cause fires, explosions, chemical exposure, or equipment damage. EPA regulates hazardous-waste aerosol cans under its Universal Waste program.
Empty household aerosol cans
Many local recycling programs accept fully empty steel or aluminum aerosol cans, but you must confirm with your local provider first.
A can is considered ready for recycling only when:
No product comes out when the nozzle is pressed.
No hiss or propellant is released.
The can feels empty.
The local recycling program specifically accepts empty aerosol cans.
How to prepare
Use the product completely as intended.
Keep the nozzle and valve intact.
Do not puncture, crush, flatten, drill, cut, or burn the can.
Follow your local program’s instructions for the plastic cap. Some programs allow the cap to stay on; others ask that it be removed and discarded.
Place the accepted empty can loose in curbside recycling, never inside a plastic bag.
For example, Omaha accepts empty household aerosol cans in curbside recycling and allows caps to remain on, but specifically excludes cans with remaining contents.
Partially full, unwanted, or hazardous cans
Take aerosol cans to a household hazardous-waste facility, collection event, or other approved
local program if they are:
Partially full
Still pressurized or hissing
Leaking, rusty, damaged, or swollen
Containing spray paint, stain, varnish, solvents, pesticides, insecticide, automotive chemicals, lubricants, adhesives, or strong cleaners
Labeled Danger, Warning, Poison, Flammable, Toxic, Corrosive, Caustic, or similar hazard language
Of unknown contents
Do not try to empty a can by spraying it into the air, onto the ground, into a drain, or onto another object simply to make it recyclable. Do not release chemicals intentionally indoors or outdoors.
EPA explains that aerosol cans can contain a wide range of products, including paint, solvents, pesticides, food products, and personal-care products. When they contain hazardous waste, they must be managed through appropriate hazardous-waste systems.
Leaking or damaged aerosol cans
A leaking or damaged aerosol can requires additional caution.
Move people, pets, and ignition sources away from the area.
Do not puncture, crush, spray, burn, or attempt to repair the can.
Avoid flames, sparks, cigarettes, electrical switches, and heat sources.
If fumes are present, ventilate the area only if it is safe to do so.
Contact your local fire department nonemergency line, household hazardous-waste facility, manufacturer, or local waste authority for instructions.
Call 911 if there is fire, strong fumes, injury, significant leakage, or an immediate danger.
Do not place a leaking can in household trash or curbside recycling. EPA and environmental health guidance warn that even “empty” cans may retain pressure and may explode if punctured or exposed to heat.
Product-specific guidance
Aerosol product | Fully empty can | Partially full, leaking, or pressurized can |
Hairspray, deodorant, shaving cream, whipped cream | Recycle only if local program accepts empty aerosol cans | Household hazardous-waste program or local direction |
Cooking spray | Recycle only if completely empty and locally accepted | Household hazardous-waste program or local direction |
Air freshener and disinfectant spray | Recycle only if completely empty and locally accepted | Household hazardous-waste program or local direction |
Spray paint, primer, stain, varnish | Recycle only if completely empty and locally accepted | Household hazardous-waste program |
Pesticide or insecticide spray | Recycle only if completely empty and locally accepted | Household hazardous-waste program |
Automotive spray, lubricant, degreaser, adhesive | Recycle only if completely empty and locally accepted | Household hazardous-waste program |
What not to do
Do not place partially full cans in curbside recycling.
Do not place leaking or pressurized cans in household trash.
Do not puncture, crush, flatten, drill, cut, burn, or incinerate aerosol cans.
Do not remove or tamper with the valve or nozzle.
Do not spray leftover product into sinks, toilets, storm drains, soil, waterways, or the air.
Do not store aerosol cans near heat, sunlight, flames, sparks, stoves, grills, furnaces, or vehicles.
Do not put aerosol cans in compost or yard waste.
Puncturing and draining aerosol cans is a regulated process for trained businesses using approved equipment, written procedures, emission controls, and hazardous-waste management practices. It is not an appropriate household disposal method.
Safety and Legal Notice
This guide is for general educational purposes only. It is not hazardous-waste, fire-safety, chemical-handling, transportation, environmental, or legal advice. Aerosol-can disposal requirements vary by product, remaining contents, hazard classification, state and local rules, and receiving facility.
Always follow the product label, Safety Data Sheet, manufacturer instructions, and directions from your local household hazardous-waste program or waste provider. Do not puncture, crush, drill, cut, burn, incinerate, dismantle, or deliberately discharge an aerosol can. Do not place partially full, pressurized, damaged, leaking, recalled, or unknown aerosol cans in curbside recycling or household trash.
Keep aerosol cans upright, away from children, pets, heat, sparks, flames, and direct sunlight. If a can is leaking, smoking, hot, damaged, producing strong fumes, or creating an immediate fire or health danger, leave the area, avoid ignition sources, and call 911 or your local emergency number.
Sources
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Adding Aerosol Cans to the Universal Waste Regulations. EPA explains how aerosol cans containing hazardous waste are managed under the federal Universal Waste program and identifies common aerosol-can contents, including paints, solvents, pesticides, food products, and personal-care products.
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Aerosol Cans. This state guidance advises residents to take aerosol cans that still contain product or propellant to a household hazardous-waste collection program.
Omaha Recycling Guide, Aerosol Cans. This local guide explains that completely empty aerosol cans from common household products may be accepted in curbside recycling, while cans with contents remaining should not be placed in recycling.
Illinois State University Environmental Health and Safety, Aerosol Cans and Sprays. This resource describes aerosol cans as pressurized containers that may contain paints, solvents, adhesives, lubricants, pesticides, disinfectants, and other materials requiring proper waste management.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Register Notice: Adding Aerosol Cans to Universal Waste Regulations. This rulemaking record provides federal regulatory context for hazardous-waste aerosol cans and their management.