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How to Recycle Aerosol Cans

How to Recycle Aerosol Cans

Updated 5 March 2018 03:53 PM

Typically the contents of Aerosol cans are hazardous, but empty aerosol cans can be placed in your council recycling bin. 

Aerosol cans are made of steel and aluminium which makes them relatively easy to recycle.

Do not pierce or squash your aerosol cans. Please remove any plastic lids when you place the aerosol can into the council recycling bin.

If you have partially full or full aerosol cans, you will need to either take them to your council transfer station or check for your council's Household Hazardous Waste scheme. 

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Science Notes
Recycling of aerosol cans when empty saves an enormous amount of landfill and protects the environment. Steel and aluminium can be infinitely recycled without degradation.

Most metals under-go a three step recycling process: collection, sorting, and melting. The pure liquid metal is then poured into moulds to become a new metal product. The aluminium from a coke can complete the three step process and be back on the shelf in as little as 60 days.

Related Tip
Aerosol cans and paint tins are similar when it comes to recycling. Paint itself is a hazardous substance and needs to be disposed of through a Household Hazardous Waste scheme. Paint tins, on the other hand, are made from steel and are fully recyclable. Ensure that your paint tin is emptied and clean before being placed in the council recycling bin.

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