Recycling aerosol cans

People love the convenience of products such as deodorant spray, whipped cream, hair spray, and air freshener, among many others. As a result, you can find these products lying in every corner of your house.

Nowadays, everything - from food, cosmetics, and bathroom products to paints and automotive products - is stored in aerosol cans. The convenience and ease of utility aerosol cans offer have made them a popular form of packaging. The growing rate of aerosol cans production and consumption is an area of concern for environmentalists as to how people dispose of their empty cans.

Aerosol cans are made of either aluminum or steel, making them a fit-to-be-recycled item. While the can itself is worth the same as other metal cans, the pressurized air inside and potentially hazardous contents for the environment complicate recycling.

Do’s & Don’ts of Aerosol Can Recycling

1. Do not leave the cap open: Most aerosol cans are metal with a plastic cap. Since metal and plastic are not recycled in the same way, it is critical to remove the plastic cap from the metal can.?
2. Do not remove the nozzle by yourself: Even though the nozzle is made of plastic, it cannot be separated for plastic recycling because the piece is too small to pass through a recycling sorter in the first place.
3. Ensure the can is empty before giving it away for recycling: Aerosol cans with remnants inside are still pressurized, which means they could explode or combust if punctured or crushed, posing a risk to a trash compactor or recycling sorter. So, it is crucial to make sure that the can(s) are completely empty.
4. Never try to depressurize the can yourself: If there is still pressure in the can, this could be very dangerous. Besides, there is a risk of harmful chemicals or air pollutants being released into the air and damaging the atmosphere.
5. Know where to recycle these cans: Not every recycling center or curbside bin accepts aerosol cans, and this is the most confusing part. Since aerosol cans require special handling, it is crucial to dispose of them correctly with a dedicated recycling center that is professionally trained to handle the specialised waste.

Sorting out your regular household waste and segregating aerosol cans to send them off to a certified recycling center, like Enviroserve, is a kind step toward the environment. This not only prevents these containers from ending up in landfills but also reduces the dangers of explosions and leaking hazardous fumes into the air we breathe.

Enviroserve is UAE’s premier recycling service provider that is well-equipped to handle and dispose of all types of specialised waste including aerosol cans ethically. To know more, click here: https://enviroserve.org/service/#brand-protection