DATA SHEET

Aerosol Cans

Ref. 40 CFR §261.23(a)(7); RCRA Hotline Q&A #124

Overview

• Aerosol cans can present a disposal concern when the accuator breaks off and cannot be replaced or when the propellant has been spent leaving a significant quantity of liquid within the container.

• Never puncture aerosol cans to remove contained liquid or pressure.

Requirements

• Aerosol cans absent of liquids and which have approached ambient atmospheric pressure (i.e., absent of propellant) should be recycled for the metal content; however, they may be disposed of to the Sanitary Landfill (i.e., regular trash).

• Aerosol cans containing a significant amount of liquid and which have approached ambient atmospheric pressure should be managed in accordance with the characteristic of the liquid. For example, if the liquid expresses a flashpoint < 140° F or contains a constituent identified in 40 CFR 261.24 Table 1 then it should be managed as an ignitable (D001) or toxic (D004 – D043) hazardous waste respectively.

• Aerosol cans containing a significant amount of liquid and which have not approached ambient atmospheric pressure should be managed in accordance to the characteristic of the liquid and as a reactive (D003) hazardous waste.

• Aerosol cans containing no liquid and which have not approached ambient atmospheric pressure should be managed as a reactive (D003) hazardous waste.

Record Keeping

• Maintain receipts/shipping papers to document aerosol can management activities and to compile waste minimization reports.