How to Recycle Aerosol Cans Under RCRA

In this video highlight from the livestream “3 Management Strategies for Waste Aerosols”, Lion instructor Rosie Bottone lays out key requirements for recycling aerosol cans (like spray paints) that may be regulated as hazardous waste or universal waste per US EPA regulations. 

More short highlight videos are available on Lion’s YouTube channel. Lion Members can access the full 90-minute presentation, including Q&A with the live audience, in the Lion.com Member Area.

How to Recycle Aerosol Cans

To properly empty and recycle aerosol cans, industrial or commercial facilities need a strong understanding of the relevant RCRA hazardous waste (and/or universal waste) requirements. 

The video highlights key RCRA requirements for aerosol can puncturing devices and shares tips for training employees to prevent accidents. 

Rosie addresses the importance of performing an accurate hazardous waste ID on the contents emptied from aerosol cans—and how to manage that material as hazardous waste (when applicable). Importantly, that includes a warning about acutely hazardous waste (“P-list”) and the RCRA mixture rule.

Other topics touched on in this "how to recycle aerosol cans" highlight clip:

• Aerosol cans in RCRA satellite accumulation areas 
• The role of State regulations for aerosols/hazardous waste management 
• How recycling aerosol cans contribute to waste minimization efforts

Recycling aerosol cans for scrap metal—including how to empty aerosol cans that contain RCRA-regulated hazardous waste—was the third of three management options covered during Lion's aerosols livestream. To ensure compliance with the RCRA regulations, facilities must also form a complete understanding of options 1 and 2; managing aerosol cans as hazardous waste or universal waste. 

To prevent RCRA violations, US businesses must know how to manage aerosol cans in compliance with Federal/State hazardous waste regulations and understand how to recycle aerosols. Both elements are key, especially for organizations that operate nationwide, because the rules for how to recycle aerosols—and whether the practice of puncturing an recycling aerosols is even permitted—can vary from state to state.

For more tips and insights from the aerosols management and recycling livestream, check out Lion's YouTube channel. Lion Members have access to the full livestream "3 Management Strategies for Waste Aerosols."

Last RCRA Workshops of the Year

Join a Lion instructor for our last workshops of the year!

Lion's RCRA Hazardous Waste Management workshop prepares industry professionals to identify, store, and dispose of hazardous wastes in compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations. Professionals develop a streamlined approach to manage hazardous waste from cradle-to-grave and comply with RCRA Land Disposal Restrictions (LDRs).

Houston, TX | November 18–19
Philadelphia, PA | December 2–3
Dallas, TX | December 9–10
Hartford, CT | December 16–17