The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and the Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) have published a practical guide to help material recovery facilities (MRFs) across the US accept and recycle aerosol cans.
The publication, Yes We Can! A Practical Guide to Aerosol Recycling at MRFs, was developed by RTI Innovation Advisors and is designed to help facility operators navigate the risks and operational challenges associated with aerosol can acceptance. Although empty aerosol cans are recyclable, uptake at MRFs across the country remains inconsistent.
The guide draws on interviews with 13 MRFs across 11 states, covering a diverse mix of public and privately owned facilities — including those that explicitly accept aerosol cans, those that do not, and those that accept them without publicising the fact. RTI also spoke with nine city and state officials to understand how government policy influences aerosol acceptance decisions.
The playbook identifies key MRF operator profiles, outlines the benefits and risks of aerosol acceptance, and provides recommendations and roadmaps for facilities looking to expand their capabilities. The ultimate aim is to achieve an 85 per cent recycling access rate for aerosol cans by 2030, as part of CMI and HCPA's joint Aerosol Recycling Initiative.
Sami Ki, Senior Manager, Sustainability & Product Stewardship at HCPA, said the guide was intended to create a shared language for productive conversations between MRFs, local governments and other stakeholders. Roxanne Sharif, Director of Sustainability at CMI, added that the playbook would equip operators with peer-sourced resources to assess and advance their operations.
Industry guide aims to boost aerosol can recycling at US recovery facilities
