Empty aerosol cans are solid waste and can be disposed of into the sanitary trash; however, partially full cans contain propellants and product that may be considered hazardous waste.
Aerosol cans become waste when they are empty, when product can no longer be expelled, or when the product has exceeded the useful shelf life. Sometimes cans become waste when the nozzle or valve fails or the contents begin to solidify.
To minimize waste disposal problems, the University encourages faculty and staff to:
- purchase only what is required,
- follow label directions to prevent clogging,
- use the product within its useful shelf life, and
- purchase products that do not have hazardous characteristics.
For all aerosol cans, use as much of the contents as possible for the intended purpose. For the can to be empty, the pressure of the propellant gas should be unable to propel any more material from the can. (Note: If the nozzle or valve malfunctions, and some of the contents remain, the can is not empty.)
Aerosol cans that contain toxic materials, such as metals or certain types of pesticides will be handled as hazardous waste and disposed of through the hazardous waste disposal company.