How to Dispose of Aerosol Cans That Are Not Empty

Maybe you have old air freshener cans lying around or didn't need an entire can of spray paint for a project. Whatever your reason, you have some unwanted aerosol cans that are still partially full. These cans can be potentially hazardous, and you usually can’t just place them in the regular trash.

Instead, check out these four options for how to dispose of aerosol cans that are not empty.

Why Dispose of Aerosol Cans Properly?

It might be tempting just to toss those aerosol cans in the regular garbage, but there are three important reasons to reconsider.

First, aerosol cans that aren’t empty could explode if a garbage truck or trash compactor compresses them, putting sanitation workers in unnecessary danger. Second, the contents of aerosol cans can be dangerous for the environment, either by releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air or draining into the soil and making their way into aquifers, contaminating drinking water sources.

Finally, aerosol cans are considered hazardous waste, and failing to dispose of them properly could lead to illegal dumping fines, whether you place them in your regular garbage or in a dumpster.

Prepping for Aerosol Can Disposal

There are a few things you can do to prepare for safe, legal aerosol can disposal.

• Check your local waste disposal laws. First and foremost, different municipalities can have varying rules and regulations about how to dispose of aerosol spray cans. Check with your local sanitation department for applicable laws regarding how and where you can dispose of aerosol cans.

• Spray out the contents. If it’s safe, consider spraying out any remaining contents before disposing of the cans. Avoid spraying pesticides, herbicides, or other potentially dangerous materials, but you can safely spray things like cooking sprays and non-VOC paints. In some areas, you can place empty aerosol cans in your regular garbage or recycling, saving you time and money while keeping sanitation workers and the environment safe.

• Handle with care. Aerosol cans are considered hazardous waste, and the contents of some cans might be harmful to breathe in or if they make contact with your skin. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for safety precautions when handling and emptying the cans.

How to Dispose of Aerosol Cans 5 Ways

There are five main ways to dispose of aerosol cans. Before proceeding, check that your local rules and regulations for hazardous waste disposal allow for these options.

Bring to a Hazardous Waste Center

One of the easiest ways to dispose of aerosol cans that aren’t empty is to bring them to a hazardous waste center. Most people have at least one facility near them that disposes of old paint, aerosol cans, and other hazardous waste, although you’ll often need to pay a dumping fee. 

Keep in mind that you’ll have to transport the cans yourself, so take all proper safety precautions and consider laying down a protective covering in your car. Hazardous waste centers will usually accept any and all aerosol cans, including those containing dangerous substances such as pesticides and high-VOC paints.

Bring to a Community Disposal Event

Some municipalities host community disposal events to collect pollutants and hazardous waste, including partially full aerosol cans. The schedule will vary based on your location, so check with your local sanitation department for the next event. Much like utilizing a hazardous waste center, these events require you to transport the cans yourself, so protect yourself and your car during transportation.

Community disposal events often accept hazardous waste at no cost, so this is one of the few free options available.

Give to an Aerosol Puncture Station

Aerosol puncture stations are facilities that accept aerosol cans, puncture them safely in a controlled chamber, drain the contents, and then recycle the empty cans. The contents usually drain into a 55-gallon drum, which the facility will then dispose of properly as hazardous waste, following all applicable local laws.

Aerosol puncture stations typically charge a fee per can, and you’ll also have to transport the cans yourself. Wear proper safety equipment when handling them, and lay down a protective sheet in your car to avoid damage from spills.

Bring Your Aerosol Cans to Scrap Yards 

Who doesn’t love an opportunity to get some extra pocket money? Even better if you can earn it for clearing unwanted items from your home. 

If your aerosol cans are made of aluminum or steel, metal scrappers might be interested in buying them. You won't get a significant amount of money—probably just a few cents per can—but this is a safe way to offload unwanted cans. If you don’t live close to a scrap yard, wait until you have enough scrap metal to make the trip worth it.

Keep in mind that most scrap yards will only accept empty aerosol cans, so this is only a viable option if you can safely empty the spray cans before you transport them to the facility.

Hire a Junk Removal Service

This option doesn’t make sense if you have just one or two aerosol cans you’d like to get rid of, but if you have accumulated a collection of aerosol cans that are not empty, or you have other types of hazardous waste you need to get rid of, you may want to look into how much junk removal costs.

Some junk haulers will not handle any hazardous waste, so you’ll need to verify before hiring that the professional you’re choosing can accept your aerosol cans and dispose of them properly. That often means they have a license to transport hazardous waste, so double-check for that license before hiring a junk removal service.

Hiring a local garbage removal service is the easiest way to get rid of old aerosol cans that aren’t empty, along with other hazardous waste. The cost of hazardous waste disposal will be higher when hiring a professional, though.

Tips for Dealing With Aerosol Can Disposal

Photo: brazzo / iStock / Getty Images

There are a few things you can do to make disposing of old aerosol cans a bit easier and, in many cases, more affordable:

• Wait until you have a collection. You can save yourself time and energy by waiting until you have a collection of aerosol cans or other hazardous waste before disposing of everything. That way, you can either make a single trip or make the charge from your trash removal company worthwhile.

• Store them properly until you can dispose of them. Always store aerosol cans in cool, dry, ventilated spaces that won’t reach freezing temperatures or temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If possible, store them away from sources of heat and in an approved aerosol storage container.

• Empty the cans if it is safe to do so. As mentioned above, if you can safely empty your aerosol cans, you can often just place them in your regular recycling containers. Just check local regulations before doing so.

• Protect your vehicle if transporting aerosol cans yourself. If you’re transporting your cans to a disposal facility, lay down a sheet of plastic and keep the cans in a cardboard box on top of the plastic to protect your interior from spills.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Dispose of Your Aerosol Cans

Disposing of aerosol cans yourself is often pretty simple and just requires some planning and research into which option suits you best. If you can wait for a community hazardous waste collection program and don’t mind transporting the cans yourself, it’s a no-cost option. You can often get rid of other hazardous waste, like batteries and light bulbs, at the same time.

However, there are risks associated with transporting aerosol cans, and it will take time and effort to get the cans to a safe disposal site. If you don’t feel comfortable traveling with the cans or don’t have the time to spend making the delivery, hiring a junk removal service that accepts hazardous waste is your best option. Junk removal costs for hazardous waste can get pricey, but hiring a pro is, by far, the easiest way to get rid of aerosol cans.

Rachel Presser contributed to this article.