How-To 4 min read · 2026-10-10

Are Aerosol Cans Recyclable?

Aerosol cans — hairspray, spray paint, cooking spray, cleaners — are made of valuable, fully recyclable steel or aluminum. The deciding factor is whether the can is completely empty. Here's the simple rule: empty metal can equals recycle; leftover product (especially hazardous) equals household hazardous waste.

Empty Cans = Recyclable Metal

A completely empty aerosol can is recyclable scrap metal, and many curbside programs accept it along with other metal cans. "Empty" means truly empty: nothing sprays out, there's no hiss of pressure, and you don't hear liquid sloshing when you shake it. You can usually leave or remove the plastic cap depending on your local program. Because acceptance varies, confirm aerosols with your local recycler.

Never Puncture or Crush Them

Do not crush, puncture or flatten an aerosol can at home. Even a can that seems empty can still hold pressurized propellant, and puncturing or crushing it can make it burst or ignite. Leave the can intact and let the recycling facility handle it. (Only industrial facilities with approved, vented, filtered equipment should ever puncture aerosol cans.)

Non-Empty or Hazardous = HHW

A can that still has product in it is not curbside-recyclable — and if it held something hazardous like spray paint, insecticide, pesticide or certain cleaners, a partially full can is household hazardous waste (HHW) and belongs at an HHW drop-off site or collection event, not your bin. The EPA added hazardous-waste aerosol cans to its "universal waste" rules in 2019 to make collection easier; household cans are technically exempt, but the practical rule stands — don't put a can with leftover hazardous product in the recycling.

💡 Key Takeaways

Completely empty steel/aluminum aerosol cans are recyclable scrap metal, often curbside
'Empty' = nothing sprays, no hiss, no sloshing
NEVER puncture or crush an aerosol can — it can burst or ignite
Partially full or hazardous-product cans go to household hazardous waste, not the bin

Frequently Asked Questions

Are aerosol cans recyclable?

Yes, if completely empty. Aerosol cans are steel or aluminum — valuable recyclable metal — and many curbside programs accept empty ones with other metal cans. A can with product left, or that held a hazardous product, is household hazardous waste instead. Acceptance varies, so check your local program.

How do I know if an aerosol can is empty?

Press the nozzle — nothing should spray and there should be no hiss of pressure — and shake it: if you hear liquid moving, it's not empty. Only a fully empty can goes in recycling; one with product left is handled as household hazardous waste if the contents are hazardous.

Can I crush or puncture an aerosol can?

No — never do this at home. Even a seemingly empty can may hold pressurized propellant, and puncturing or crushing it can cause it to burst or ignite. Leave the can intact; only industrial facilities with proper vented equipment should puncture them.

What about cans that still have product or held chemicals?

Those are household hazardous waste. A partially full can — especially of spray paint, insecticide or strong cleaner — should go to an HHW collection site or event, not your recycling bin. Find one via our household hazardous waste directory.

🔗 Related recycling resources

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