Waste aerosol cans are a potential safety and environmental concern because they may contain unused chemical products and propellant. Therefore, never dispose of aerosol cans that still contain product in the trash. To comply with regulatory requirements, employees must store and dispose of waste aerosol cans and any remaining contents as follows:
n Empty Cans: Use all the contents in the aerosol can prior to disposal. Empty aerosol cans are a Non-Hazardous Waste and must be recycled. Contact your local scrap metal contractor about placing empty aerosol cans in your scrap metal recycling dumpster. If recycling is not possible, sites may dispose of empty aerosol cans in the trash.
n Non-Empty Cans (containing unused liquid and propellants): Do not dispose of non-empty aerosol cans in the regular trash. Aerosol cans that contain unused liquid or unspent propellants and cannot be returned to the vendor must be managed as a Hazardous Waste or as Universal Waste, depending on your state and its specific requirements. Collect intact non-empty cans in a closed container that is labeled as “Hazardous Waste – Aerosol Cans” or “Universal Waste – Aerosol Cans,” according to the requirements in your state. Arrange for off-site disposal or recycling of non-empty aerosol cans using the USPS National Waste Management Service Supplier available in eBuy+ (see Safety-Kleen catalog) and keep a record of the shipment.
Note: Sites that generate large quantities of waste aerosol cans, such as processing facilities, may use a commercial aerosol can puncturing system, if allowed by the state. Sites using aerosol can puncturing systems have additional requirements. For more information:
n Review the Waste Aerosol Can Environmental Compliance Bulletin and Standard Work Instruction at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/environmental/_pdf/waste/ecb-aerosolcans.pdf.
n Consult your designated USPS Environmental Specialist at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/regional-environmental-compliance-all.htm.
— Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability,
Corporate Affairs, 3-6-25
