More than 80% of Australians live in councils that accept aerosol cans (including aerosol/ spray paint cans) in household recycling bins (if they are empty). Use the information on this page to check if your council accepts aerosol cans for recycling.

Aerosol cans often contain contents that can be flammable. If the aerosol can is empty, it can be recycled via your household recycling bin (use the information on this page to check if your council accept aerosol cans for recycling).

If the aerosol can is not empty, it is a hazardous item and should not be placed in recycling or garbage bins. The can must be disposed of through your council’s hazardous waste program. Contact your council directly for more information.

Butane aerosol cans or canisters such as those used for camping should not be put in your household recycling bin. They are highly flammable if any gas is remaining in them. Butane aerosol cans and canisters should be taken to your local household chemical drop-off service.

Aerosol cans no longer contain Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are organic gases that contain carbon. In the 1970s, CFCs were found to deplete the ozone layer, which is important to protect the surface of the Earth from the harmful UV radiation emitted by the sun. Most nations have now banned and phased out the use of CFCs.

Despite aerosols no longer containing CFCs, they still pose some environmental problems:

•Aerosol cans emit gases known as Volatile Organic Compounds (or VOCs), which contribute to smog (a form of air pollution). Smog may be harmful to both humans and the natural environment. These gases also contribute to acid rain, which can impact aquatic ecosystems, soils, plants, and wildlife.

•Aerosol cans often contain hazardous substances, such as insecticides and paint. Therefore, if not used or disposed of correctly, these substances can cause environmental harm (by entering waterways, for example).

•Since the contents within aerosol cans are under high pressure, if they are not empty before disposing, they may explode inside collection trucks and waste facilities.

•Aerosol cans pose a fire hazard, as their contents are often highly flammable.

•Aerosol cans often contain hydrocarbons (fossil-fuel based compounds). Therefore, although likely to be negligible, their use contributes to global warming. Some aerosol cans contain carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, which are both greenhouse gases.

•Aerosol cans are generally made from metals (either aluminium or steel, with a tin coating), which are extracted via mining activities and are non-renewable. To ensure these valuable resources are not wasted, we must recycle them. Most local councils in Australia accept empty aerosol cans in household recycling bins. However, aerosol cans that are not empty must be taken to household hazardous waste drop-off events (ask your council for more information).

Since aerosol cans contain gases and flammable liquids, they must be kept away from fire or sources of ignition. Always be sure to read the safe storage information on the label.
Other important tips for safely storing your aerosol cans at home include:

•Keep them in a cool, dry area – wet environments may cause the can to corrode.
•Keep them away from heat, sunshine, ovens, etc.
•Keep them away from children and pets (as many contain hazardous substances).
•Never store them in your car.
•Never damage or puncture them, this may cause them to explode.

Due to the risks posed by incorrect storage and handling of aerosol cans, it is important to dispose of them responsibly. Full (or partially full) aerosol cans should not be put in your recycling bin at home but taken to a household hazardous waste drop-off event instead (contact your council to find out when your neighbourhood’s next event is). Most councils in Australia accept empty aerosol cans in household recycling.

Never puncture or damage aerosol cans – this can cause sudden depressurisation, which may cause the can to explode. Punctured or damaged aerosol cans may also leak hazardous or flammable substances, causing injury to yourself, others, and the environment.

If you have any full (or partially full) aerosol cans to get rid of, take them to a household hazardous waste drop-off event – talk to your council for more information.

Aerosol cans no longer contain Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are organic gases that contain carbon. In the 1970s, CFCs were found to deplete the ozone layer, which is important to protect the surface of the Earth from the harmful UV radiation emitted by the sun.

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty banning the use of ozone depleting substances (such as CFCs). Almost all countries have now phased out the use of CFCs. Since the phase out of CFCs (and other ozone depleting substances), the Earth’s ozone layer continues to recover and is expected to fully recover by the middle of the century.