About Aerosols
Recycling Empty Non-household Aerosols
Empty aerosols are still pressurised containers and are likely to contain residual amounts of flammable liquid and/or gas, therefore in an industrial, commercial or institutional environment they may be classed as a Hazardous Waste.
However if the aerosol is punctured and any residual contents removed, then the metal and plastic components can be recycled. Product residues may need to be disposed of as Hazardous Waste, but the quantities will be minimal and for many empty (i.e. used up) aerosols this might not be necessary. Typically an 'empty aerosol' will contain about 3% by weight of its initial contents of which half will be propellant gas which will disperse as soon as the aerosol is punctured. Aerosols should be punctured as soon as possible rather than stored up for puncturing later.
Aerosol puncturing must be carried out in a designated area specially set aside for the purpose. The area and the proposed puncturing operation must first be assessed under the requirements of DSEAR[1] to identify any measures needed to eliminate or reduce, to an acceptable level, the risk of injury to people from fire or explosion.
Before any aerosols are punctured a competent person should conduct a COSHH assessment of the contents. Operatives must be fully trained in the puncturing procedure and must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Useful Guides
BAMA Guide on how to recycle empty aerosols from industrial, commercial and institutional premises
Advice on recycling full or part full aerosols is available separately.
[1] Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No 2776).