Aerosol Recycling Movement on Earth Day 2016: Significant Progress Made, Plenty of Room to Grow
April 22, 2016
A recent survey on aerosol products conducted by the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) reports that nearly 3.8 billion aerosol cans are produced in the United States alone, but the rate of recycling for those products is still relatively low as compared with other consumer products. It wasn’t so long ago that aerosol cans weren’t even thought of as recyclable—by consumers and manufacturers alike—but great progress has been made.
Through the work of CSPA—whose member companies include some of the largest aerosol product manufacturers in the world—and the Consumer Aerosol Products Council (CAPCO), 68% of member company products now contain “Please Recycle When Empty” labels on their cans.
And through continued regulatory policies, public awareness promotions and consumer education—by CSPA, CAPCO, the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) and others—over the past thirty years, more than 7,500 curbside programs and 10,000 drop-off programs accept aerosol cans for recycling. More Americans than ever have convenient access to steel aerosol can recycling.
“The environmental benefits of recycling aerosol cans cannot be underestimated,” says Doug Fratz, Senior Science Fellow, CSPA. “The use of recycled aerosol can metal means less landfill space and reduced pollution.”
Proponents say that recycling empty aerosol containers is easier than ever. Here’s how to do your part:
First empty the aerosol container of its contents through normal use.
Next, check instructions for recycling from your local collector to see if empty aerosol cans are accepted for recycling in your community.
Then, place empty aerosol containers in bins along with steel food cans and other recyclable content, or take them to the nearest drop-off facility.
RESOURCES
For additional information related to recycling empty steel aerosol packaging or to encourage your municipality to accept them, visit the Steel Recycling Institute website at: www.recycle-steel.org
To learn more about aerosol products, including how they’ve been CFC free for more than 30 years, please visit: www.AerosolProducts.org
For a downloadable “Aerosol Fact Sheet” containing surprising factoids, environment-related information and safety tips, click here.
A recent survey on aerosol products conducted by the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) reports that nearly 3.8 billion aerosol cans are produced in the United States alone, but the rate of recycling for those products is still relatively low as compared with other consumer products. It wasn’t so long ago that aerosol cans weren’t even thought of as recyclable—by consumers and manufacturers alike—but great progress has been made.
Through the work of CSPA—whose member companies include some of the largest aerosol product manufacturers in the world—and the Consumer Aerosol Products Council (CAPCO), 68% of member company products now contain “Please Recycle When Empty” labels on their cans.
And through continued regulatory policies, public awareness promotions and consumer education—by CSPA, CAPCO, the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) and others—over the past thirty years, more than 7,500 curbside programs and 10,000 drop-off programs accept aerosol cans for recycling. More Americans than ever have convenient access to steel aerosol can recycling.
“The environmental benefits of recycling aerosol cans cannot be underestimated,” says Doug Fratz, Senior Science Fellow, CSPA. “The use of recycled aerosol can metal means less landfill space and reduced pollution.”
Proponents say that recycling empty aerosol containers is easier than ever. Here’s how to do your part:
RESOURCES
For additional information related to recycling empty steel aerosol packaging or to encourage your municipality to accept them, visit the Steel Recycling Institute website at: www.recycle-steel.org
To learn more about aerosol products, including how they’ve been CFC free for more than 30 years, please visit: www.AerosolProducts.org
For a downloadable “Aerosol Fact Sheet” containing surprising factoids, environment-related information and safety tips, click here.