Aerosol Cans

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Aerosol cans are pressurized containers used to dispense a wide range of substances including paints, lubricants, cleaners, adhesives, pesticides, and more. When no longer usable or empty, these cans may still contain residual flammable propellants or hazardous materials and are regulated as Universal Waste or Hazardous Waste, depending on contents and condition

Characteristics of Aerosol Can Waste:

  • Pressurized and potentially explosive if punctured or exposed to heat.
  • May contain ignitable, toxic, or corrosive substances.
  •  Often not fully empty, requiring careful disposal.
  •  Cannot be thrown in regular trash—even if "empty" by user standards

Sharp Waste Information

  • spray paint cans used in facilities or art studios.
  • Lubricants, degreasers, or silicone sprays from mechanical shops.
  • Disinfectant or cleaning sprays used in janitorial work.
  • Pesticide aerosols from groundskeeping or pest control.
  • Adhesive sprays from laboratories or maintenance departments

Environmental Health & Safety:

Dipak Janda (Dk) Email: Dipakjanda@sfsu.edu

Telephone: (415)-542-8046

Aerosol Cans must be removed:

  • Aerosol cans can be accumulated for up to 1 year from the start date of collection.
  • Date of first accumulation must be visible on the collection container.
  • Prompt transfer to the Universal Waste area is required once the container is full or nearing the time limit.

Who Removes the Waste:
Trained EH&S staff or Facilities personnel pick up aerosol waste.

Where It Is Taken:
Aerosol cans are brought to SFSU’s Universal Waste or Hazardous Waste, Storage facility, where they are stored in designated containers, segregated by condition (e.g., intact vs. punctured)

  • Aerosol can waste is picked up quarterly or more often depending on storage capacity
    and generation rates.
  • Leaking or damaged cans are handled immediately with appropriate PPE and spill containment

Collected by a licensed hazardous/universal waste hauler.

Cans are either:

  • Punctured and drained at an approved facility, with contents treated appropriately
  • Recycled as scrap metal if fully emptied and depressurized
  • Incinerated or disposed of in a regulated hazardous waste facility if residuals are hazardous
  • Managed per EPA 40 CFR 273 Subpart K and Title 22 California Universal Waste rules.

Contact Information

For further information about the  Aerosol Cans Management Program at SFSU or how you can get involved, please contact:

Environmental Compliance Specialist

Dipak Janda (Dk)