Spray Can Disposal

Basics

• This page aims for cover the reasons for, and proper means (at various scales) to Safely Dispose of Spray Cans (For “Jet Spray” Products such as Parts Cleaner Spray Cans / Penetrating Oil like PB Blaster or Seafoam Spray and to a lesser extent WD-40 etc) / Aerosol Spray Cans (Such as Spray Paint or Pesticide cans etc
• To an extent this also covers disposable Butane and Iso-Butane canisters etc, but those can get their own pages as well

Reasons for Proper Disposal

• While not AS large of a concern as mass volumes of Flammable Liquids (such as Used Oil , Stale Fuel, and Saturated Used Oil Filters / Oily Rags etc, the residual gas and/or fluid can pose a risk of Fires / Spontaneous Combustion etc downstream (Such as in Trash Cans/Dumpsters, In Garbage Trucks, In Waste Transfer Stations / Tipping Yards in Materials Recover Facilities / Waste Incineration / W2E Plants, OR in a Sanitary Landfill
• Basically any time it sits and either generates heat by oxidation/catalytic enhanced oxidation (Re: Oily Rags ) , or is heated, and/or is crushed, bad stuff can happen
• Again not the BIGGEST risk, but large enough special consideration is warranted

Small Scale

• A special tool can be used to “punch” a hole into the side or base of the can
  • Care should be taken that it is depressurized (ie “spent” ) before doing so, and further care to catch any residual non- Propellant liquids for proper disposal (and not have it splash in eyes etc)

Larger Scale

• These handheld tools (or even an Awl on a swiss army knife etc) work, but in terms of PPE is the Last Resort perspective / Hierarchy of Controls at the corperate/community level a more shielded semi-automatic or automatic system is desirable
  • These also increase Labor Productivity if large amounts are to be processed

Outsourcing It

• Household Hazardous Waste collection points exist for small scale
• For larger scale, and especially corporate level work, contact an Environmental Services Company
  • Most likely, it will be drummed up in a 55 Gallon Drum , labeled, and collected by the company
  • They can provide the drum too, but besides that (and means to open/move it/ergonomic aid etc, and paperwork+money, they mostly handle it
    • Also removes any liability etc, although with proper controls+training+basic tools it is a low risk process

External Links

• An Amazon Listing for the “ CANARY Butane Canister Punch Tool 5.5" Recycling Tool, Safe Puncture Tool with Spray Guard for Disposing Camping Stoves, Isobutane Gas Canisters, and Spray Cans, Made in JAPAN” ( ‘’’~8 USD Each as of this Edit’’’ )
  • User: Eric here, i recently got this tool, mainly thinking for Butane Lighter Refills, BUT got one for work and used it today for some spent parts cleaner and PB Blast. Drained the little bit of residual PB Blast (when the propellant is gone, but liquid is still inside) and they were good
    • For “not very volatile/potentially hazmat like paint etc” residuals, disposal of the liquid/needing to rinse out the can MAY be needed, but if Oily Rag Disposal is managed/available and you can let the punctured can “bake” a bit in the sun etc it’s good enough for infrequent small scale
    • Disposing of the cans as Oily Metal Scrap and/or Washing them generating PCW and/or baking them in some sort of Vented + VRU - scrubbed kiln etc would be better at larger scales
    • MAY be able to co-process with Used Oil Filters / Non-Burnable Adsorbents such as Bentonite Clay]] based “Oil-Dri” etc