Omaha Recycling Guide
Aerosol Cans
Some Restrictions Apply
ACCEPTED: EMPTY Aerosol Cans
Place EMPTY aerosol cans that held common household products like hair spray, whipped topping, or air freshener in a curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container.
- Completely EMPTY all contents
- Lids and caps can stay on
- Keep items loose and do not bag
NOT ACCEPTED: Aerosol Cans with Contents Inside
DO NOT place aerosol cans with leftover contents in a City of Omaha curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container.
DO NOT place aerosols with leftover contents in a waste or garbage cart.
If you have aerosol cans with leftover contents inside, the best option is to use up the material for its intended purpose.
Important Note: Aerosol cans that are not fully emptied and discharged have the potential to cause serious harm to workers and equipment, contamination, and fires.
Related Items: Spray Paint, Industrial Adhesive Containers, Oil-Based Paint & Stain Cans
Where Else Could It Go?
WHEN TO USE CAUTION: Aerosol cans with leftover contents that are labeled toxic, flammable, poison, or corrosive, are considered Household Hazardous Waste and require special handling. If your aerosol can contains leftover hazardous chemicals, take it to the City's special waste facility, UnderTheSink.
UnderTheSink accepts unwanted chemicals and special waste from households in Douglas and Sarpy Counties. More information and a list of items accepted at this facility can be found at:
Ways to Reduce or Reuse
Plan ahead and buy only what you can use in a short period of time.
If your aerosol can has leftover chemical contents that are still usable, such as insect poison or cleaning products, consider sharing with a neighbor.
Did You Know
Household hazardous wastes that make their way into landfills can cause groundwater pollution. If improperly handled and disposed of, these materials can pose a threat to the public's health and safety.
How to determine if a product is considered household hazardous waste? Look for indicator words on labels, such as:
- Caution
- Warning
- Danger
- Poison
- Flammable
- Volatile
- Caustic
- Corrosive
In many cases, you can avoid buying hazardous household materials and use alternative products instead. Before you buy, read the label. If a product is labeled with any of the words on this list, try to find a less hazardous alternative.