Tip #27: Can I recycle aerosol cans?
Aerosol cans cannot be recycled, but they require special handling prior to disposal. According to RecycleSmartMA.org, aerosol cans should be dealt with as follows:
- Empty aerosol cans, including those that contained hazardous materials: Put these in the trash when the aerosol is completely discharged.
- Partially-full containers:
- – That do not contain hazardous substances, such as whipped cream, shaving cream, and cooking oil: Empty the can of its non-hazardous contents by spraying it outdoors into a cardboard box or paper bag, then place the can in the trash. Allow the box or bag to dry before placing it in the trash.
- – That do contain hazardous substances, as identified by the symbol for corrosive, flammable, poisonous, or explosive material: Take these to the Devens Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. See www.DevensHHW.com.
This recycling tip is brought to you by the Transfer Station Committee.
Editor’s Note: To gain entry to Harvard’s Transfer Station and empty trash, residents must purchase an $80 sticker. The sticker entitles its holder to dispose of recyclable glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and books at no charge. But residents must purchase specially marked bags to dispose of nonrecyclable materials. These are available at Westward Orchards, the Harvard General Store, Harvard Outdoor Power Equipment, Bolton Orchards in Bolton, and Shop ’n Save in Ayer. The Press publishes these weekly tips to help readers reduce the volume of their trash, while increasing the volume they recycle.
