Update: Aerosol Product Recycling

Yesterday, in my list of non-recyclables, I posted that aerosols are not recyclable. But that’s based on my experience. I’ve had a heck of a time with centers in a few of the towns I’ve lived in.

So then, Peter, left this comment, “You are wrong! Aerosols are currently easily recycled – in the UK 95% of local councils accept them in the recycling scheme. Incidentally most aerosols contain around 25% of material that is recycled.”

Which of brings me back to my point that I personally have had aerosols turned away by recycling centers. I usually just don’t buy them. Still, Peter’s comment, was good because it got me thinking. I haven’t looked up aerosol laws in a while. So I did. However, I only looked up U.S. laws.

The Consumer Aerosol Products Council has an entire page about recycling aerosol products. Of course, they would, it’s to their benefit. Still, they’re claiming that almost all aerosol items are recyclable. They also note that not all centers do take them but that, “You can help by encouraging your community to accept empty aerosol cans along with other metal containers.” Which is a good point,. In the places I’ve lived that won’t accept certain items, if enough people made a fuss, the centers would have to eventually give in to consumer pressure.

If your local center won’t take your aerosol cans try this locater form to find a center that will. The Steel Recycling Institute notes that many aerosol can end up as rejects because they remain partially full, or they’re outdated. There’s pressure on recycling centers to empty cans and attempt to recycle anyway. The EPA offers scattered info on aerosol cans noting that household cans should be recycled but not all centers accept them. They also have a good section on cans that contain pesticides, noting:

“Recycling of aerosol containers is increasing dramatically and represents a significant potential recycled resource given the large numbers of units produced each year (approximately 3,000,000,000 aerosol containers of which 10% hold pesticides). Aerosol pesticide containers, however, are not now recycled to any appreciable extent because of the nature of the current safety and label instructions that require disposal of these containers. Failure to follow label statements for registered pesticides is a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Changing these label instructions to permit recycling of aerosol pesticide containers would allow such recycling programs to operate and reap significant environmental and economic benefits.”

So, it sounds like people are working on the aerosol issues – but we have a way to go.

For kids:

Roscoe’s Recycle Room is a site just for kids from the The Steel Recycling Institute. Perfect for kids who want to learn more about recycling steel products.