Aerosol cans can be used for a wide range of things these days. For instance, they make it much easier to grease a pan, apply sunscreen, or top a dessert. They are very common in the kitchen, bathroom, and even garage. Since you have probably seen it in your home, it is something.
Businesses that use aerosol cans must handle these materials properly to protect both workers and the environment. However, you are done using the gardening chemical or hairspray. You’re now thinking about what to do with your aerosol can. Empty aerosol cans can be recycled and are not regarded as hazardous waste. Let’s learn how to empty the aerosol can now.
How Should Aerosol Cans Be Emptied?
Believe us when we say that this is an extremely important part of attempting to recycle your aerosol can. And you must pay close attention if you do not want the can to explode and injure you. As a result, make sure your can is empty. Don’t take any chances. Check your cans for liquid by shaking them. If there is, keep spraying until nothing is left in there.
You don’t want to pierce or puncture it unless you want to cause yourself harm. We’re guessing you don’t want that. As a result, do not consider piercing it in order to drain the content. Empty aerosol cans are not considered to be hazardous waste. When emptying an aerosol can entirely:
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- Use the aerosol product as directed until it is no longer available.
- Avoid purposefully spraying the contents out to empty the can.
Another technique for emptying aerosol cans is to insert the can, nozzle ends down, into the housing sleeve. The lock knob should be tightened after lowering the top plate. Completely depress the handle, then secure it. Propeller and any remaining liquid product are able to drain into the 55-gallon drum after a steel pin punctures the can. To ensure that every product drains, wait at least 20 seconds.
How Do You Know That The Aerosol Can Is Empty?
Containers containing compressed gases are empty when the container’s internal pressure is comparable to or equal to that of the atmosphere. And little to no product is still in the can after the entire contents have been sprayed out.
Spray the can until the product stops oozing out and the hissing sound it makes, then empty it. It is not advisable to try to pierce or disable the can or the nozzle because doing so might prove hazardous.
Bottom Line
So, if the can is empty – if you press it on the top, it makes no sound—you can put it in your recycling bin. By aiming the aerosol can at something you don’t mind spraying and pressing the top, you can confirm that the can is empty. You should completely empty the can if anything leaks out or hisses, or you should get rid of it as hazardous waste if you hear a hissing sound.
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