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From Cans to Canisters: A Solution to Aerosol Can Waste
The US industrial and automotive communities use more than 1.6 billion aerosol cans annually. These cans often contain products ranging from brake cleaners to degreasers. Once used, the cans may be tossed with the garbage. If they contain hazardous materials, the cans may be subject to certain disposal requirements. However, what if we didn’t have to use these aerosol cans at all?
MX Factor 
,
a partner and endorser of our WasteWise program, developed
an innovative solution that allows businesses to get the products
they need without falling into the endless cycle of buying
and tossing of aerosol cans. In 2005 the southern California
company launched an industrial canister exchange system, which
allows businesses to buy automotive or industrial cleaners
and solvents packaged in reusable canisters instead of the
typical aerosol cans. The canisters are made of lightweight
aluminum, have a capacity equal to 20 aerosol cans, and can
be recycled.
The exchange process occurs when MX Factor drops off a full canister in exchange for an old one at a time interval determined by the customer. The used canister is then cleaned, re-labeled, and ready to be used again. This reuse process essentially eliminates aerosol can waste and most product waste.
MX Factor estimates it has prevented more than one million aerosol cans from being disposed since the start of their exchange program. The company is planning to reduce the environmental impact of canister transportation by establishing new filling and recycling facilities for customers outside southern California.
As part of its commitment as a WasteWise partner, MX Factor reports the total amount of waste prevented by the companies participating in the canister exchange system. As an endorser, the company helps to recruit other organizations to become WasteWise partners.
MX Factor’s canister system exemplifies the type of initiative encouraged by the Resource Conservation Challenge within the national priority areas of Municipal Solid Waste Recycling and Priority and Toxic Chemical Reduction.
For More Information:
- EPA's WasteWise Program - A partnership program with more than 1,650 partners that promotes municipal solid waste reduction through waste prevention, recycling and purchasing recycled-content products
- Resource Conservation Challenge National Priority Area: Municipal Solid Waste Recycling
- Resource Conservation Challenge National Priority Area: Priority and Toxic Chemical Reduction
- MX Factor