These, including pesticide spray canisters, should be taken to the Snohomish Hazardous Waste Facility if they contain any of the product. They can be put in the curbside recycle bin only if completely empty.
Depending upon their ingredients, aerosol sprays may be irritants, corrosives or poisons.
The contents of aerosol cans are not necessarily classified as hazardous waste, but because their contents are highly pressurized and capable of explosion (if heated or punctured) they need special handling to avoid this danger.
Aerosol cans contain an active ingredient and a liquid or gaseous propellant that is packed under at least 40 pounds pressure per square inch.
If they are not completely empty do not dispose of them in with regular garbage where they might explode if punctured, which can start a fire or injure workers.
To recycle them depends on whether the container is empty or still has some of the product still in it. If they are empty the metal, which is comprised of 1% tin and 99% steel, can be recycled by putting them in the bin designated for steel or aluminium at the Snohomish Hazardous Waste Facility.
To check whether the aerosol can is empty point it at something you don't mind spraying and press the top. If anything comes out of the can or you hear a hissing noise, dipose of it at the Snohomish Hazardous Waste Facility.
The easiest way, is to use the product until the can is empty. Even empty cans often contain remnants and should never be punctured.
