The popularity of products like cleaners, hairsprays, insecticides, and spray paint has made aerosol cans a ubiquitous household packaging. However, many people are unaware that these seemingly insignificant cans can pose a serious environmental and safety threat when discarded.
One of the most common aerosol cans is the three-piece tinplate aerosol can. These cans, consisting of a body, a cone, and a dome, are made of tinplate and are widely used in both industrial and consumer applications. So, the question arises: how should three-piece tinplate aerosol cans be properly recycled?
This article will comprehensively analyze the recycling methods for three-piece tinplate aerosol cans from the perspectives of environmental protection, structural principles, safety standards, and recycling processes.
What is a three-piece aerosol can?
Three-piece aerosol cans are made of three metal components:
· Body: The main body, typically a roll-welded metal cylinder;
· Cone: The transition between the body and the dome;
· Dome: The top of the can, where the valve is mounted.
These components are tightly joined together through a crimping process, forming a sealed, high-strength pressure vessel. Tinplate, a tin-plated material on low-carbon steel, is widely used in the manufacture of these aerosol cans due to its excellent corrosion resistance, strength, and workability.
Why is the recycling of tinplate aerosol cans of particular concern?
· They contain residual pressure and chemicals, which can easily cause fire or explosion if improperly handled;
· The metal material has high recyclability and can be melted and reused;
· Mixing with regular garbage cans can affect the efficiency of environmentally friendly sorting and waste disposal systems;
· They can affect air and soil quality, and residual chemicals in the cans can easily leach into the environment.
What are the safety risks associated with cones and domes?
When recycling three-piece tinplate aerosol cans, structural safety issues, especially the cone and dome, must not be overlooked.
1. Hidden Pressure in the Dome
Because the dome is the top area of a sealed pressure can, if the contents are not emptied before recycling, it can still burst due to increased internal pressure. This is especially true during hot summer months, when direct sunlight can easily trigger explosions.
2. The Cone Joint Can Harm Residue
Many users focus solely on the nozzle when emptying aerosol cans, overlooking the potential for residual liquid propellant or chemicals at the joint between the cone and the can body. These residues can also cause fires if exposed to high temperatures or open flames.
Can ordinary people simply throw away aerosol cans?
No! Three-piece tinplate aerosol cans are considered hazardous waste until they are treated. Under environmental regulations in most countries, aerosol cans containing flammable propellants or chemical residues are prohibited from being disposed of in regular trash.
Improper handling may result in the following risks:
· Explosion of gas cylinders in garbage trucks;
· Production of toxic gases at incineration sites;
· Cans deforming and exploding due to high temperatures, potentially causing injury.
What is the standard recycling process for three-piece tinplate aerosol cans?
Step 1: Confirm the can is completely empty
· Press the nozzle until the last drop is released.
· Invert the nozzle to confirm that no gas or liquid is ejected.
· If pressurized propellants (such as butane) are present, handle with caution and avoid open flames.
Step 2: Mark or punch holes (if permitted) to release any remaining gas
In some countries, users are permitted to use a hammer to gently punch holes in the bottom of the can to release any remaining gas. This must be done in a well-ventilated area, away from sources of fire or electrical appliances.
⚠️ Note: The cone and dome are thinner and are not suitable for punching holes. It is recommended to only process the bottom of the can.
Step 3: Dispose of the can in a separate metal recycling bin
Tinplate has a high metal recycling value. Empty cans should be sorted and placed in hazardous waste or metal recycling bins, and marked as empty.
Can aerosol cans be directly disposed of at a recycling station?
This depends on the specific situation:
· Unemptied aerosol cans are strictly prohibited from being disposed of at recycling stations;
· Empty cans with no spray residue can be treated as metal scrap;
· Cans containing special ingredients such as pesticides or chemical reagents are recommended to be sent to designated hazardous waste collection points.
Some countries even require brands to set up dedicated aerosol can recycling points, for example:
· Japan's "Empty Can Return Day";
· Germany's packaging responsibility system;
· China's "Hazardous Waste Management Regulations."
Can three-piece tinplate aerosol cans be reused or refurbished?
From a safety perspective, three-piece aerosol cans should not be reused.
The reasons are as follows:
· The can body will deform slightly after being subjected to pressure, reducing its strength;
· The roll seal cannot be disassembled and reassembled, and damage to the structure will affect the seal;
· Chemical residues and odors may remain, affecting the safety of the next filling.
Conclusion: Any form of manual refilling or recycling of cans for other uses is not recommended.
Can cones and domes be sorted and recycled separately?
Because three-piece tinplate aerosol cans are roll-sealed, they cannot be easily disassembled to separate the cone and dome for separate recycling. However, metal recycling plants process these components together during the remelting process, eliminating the need for consumers to manually separate them.
However, on the industrial or manufacturing side, scrap and discarded cones and domes are sent to tinplate recycling systems through a dedicated sorting process.
Which brands or industries support aerosol can recycling mechanisms?
Currently, several well-known brands and platforms around the world have responded to the aerosol can recycling initiative:
· Procter & Gamble (P&G): Launched an "eco-friendly aerosol can packaging" program;
· L'Oréal: Incorporated recycled metal materials into some of its products;
· Domestic platforms such as Alibaba and JD.com are also promoting "green packaging" initiatives.
In addition, some tinplate aerosol can manufacturers have begun setting up recycling points to recycle discarded cans, scraps, and substandard cone and dome components, achieving a closed-loop production process.
How can consumers be encouraged to properly recycle three-piece tinplate aerosol cans?
Businesses, the government, and the public should work together:
· Government: Improve regulations and impose fines on those who discard cans without emptying them;
· Businesses: Print recycling instructions on can labels and establish reverse logistics mechanisms;
· Consumers: Raise environmental awareness and learn the correct disposal procedures.
Environmental protection starts with the proper recycling of tinplate aerosol cans
Proper recycling of three-piece tinplate aerosol cans is not only an environmental obligation but also a critical link to public safety and resource reuse.
The cone and dome components, in particular, require extra care due to their pressure-bearing and sealing properties.
We recommend all users follow these three steps:
✅ Empty contents
✅ Securely punch holes (if permitted)
✅ Dispose of in separate recycling bins
What industries do you serve?
Dekai is a versatile metal packaging supplier for a range of industries: personal care, pharmaceutical, food, beverages, household chemicals, automotive, industrial, and promotional products. We produce aerosol spray cans, metal boxes, laminated tins, and lids suitable for global brands.
Whether you need OEM metal containers, custom printed brand packaging, inexpensive bulk cans, or high-end coated tins, we supply from our China factory with consistent quality, ISO standards, and attractive prices. Contact us!