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The Can Conundrum Based on material presented at the The Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) By LORI BROWN Sr. Communication & Outreach Mid-year Meeting. Manager/Government Relations & Industry Affairs, Earth911, Inc. Iout because you realized the hairspray can fell a few concerts empty aerosol cans in the state of Washington. Surprisingly, theEarth911 ran recycling location data for both empty and non-f your autumn cleaning yielded a 1980s can of Aqua Netresiding under your bathroom counter, now might be a goodtime to properly dispose of it. And if you waited to throw it short of being completely used up, you aren’t alone. percentage of counties with resources for non-empty aerosol For many items, including aerosol cans, contents—not necessarily cans (67%) exceeded the percentage of counties with resources packaging—affect recyclability. Though a metal can is likely to for empty ones (33%), as their HHW classification provided be recyclable in a curbside program, the pressurized content may more programs than were offered for metal aerosol cans. In other render the can classified as household hazardous waste (HHW), words, the abundance of available HHW programs made access meaning it should not go in either curbside recycling or trash bins. to recycling non-empty aerosol cans greater than recycling empty Two disposal factors are at play with aerosol cans. The first is cans. As a comparison, the recycling outlets for non-pressurized whether or not the can still contains product, in which case it is metal soup cans were extensive. likely considered HHW due to the nature of products typically That causes us to wonder: Do residents understand the difference housed in aerosol cans, such as paint. The second is whether between soup cans and empty metal aerosol cans? Or do they see the can is empty. Some municipalities designate it suitable for metal cans on the recycling program flyer and assume both can be the curbside bin, whereas others will still classify it as HHW due tossed in equally? Add the complication of empty vs. non-empty to pressurization, especially if truck loads are compacted before metal aerosol cans, and you’ve got a potential communication arriving at the material recovery facility (MRF). breakdown. Many cities allow empty pressurized aerosol cans to be placed in This can conundrum is a perfect example of the need for clear the curbside recycling bin, but it is unlikely they would accept non- communication about recycling. The product, package, corporate empty cans. This should mean the access to outlets for disposing of website and the processing facility all provide opportunities an empty can should be greater than a non-empty can, right? Not and touch points to educate consumers about proper disposal. necessarily. Earth911’s Recycling Directory helps anyone know where and how to recycle that aerosol can, locally and conveniently. Earth911 also helps people know the difference between an aerosol can and a non-aerosol can, steel and aluminum, or something else entirely, with ongoing consumer education about recyclable materials. The recycling directory covers every ZIP code in the U.S. and over 300 materials, and is an accurate and convenient way to know what you’ve got and how to recycle it. By encouraging consumers to use a centralized resource for recycling information, manufacturers of consumer packaged goods can help connect the dots for consumers to ensure that can of Aqua Net reaches its final—and proper—destination. Disclaimer: Recycling accessibility is changing constantly and the information within this article is time sensitive, and cannot be guaranteed, as Earth911 performs multiple data audits within a calendar year cycle to maintain data credibility and accuracy. Spray 22 Spray December 2012


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