Industrial Aerosol Paint Stewardship Program

In January, 1998, the BC Provincial Government included the following industrial aerosol paints within the Recycling Regulation: tree-marking paint, upside-down paint and specialty industrial paints. The amendment required brandowners and distributors of these industrial aerosol paints to set up a stewardship plan to manage the residual paint and empty aerosol containers. In response to the regulation, the brandowners and distributors of Aervoe Industries Ltd., Nelson Paint Company of Canada Ltd. and Isico Paint Company Ltd. have established a cost efficient and effective stewardship program that meets the requirements of the regulation and their industrial clients.

Management of Residuals

Depending on the location and volume of aerosol containers used, there are a variety of efficient strategies that can be used to effectively and efficiently manage the paint residuals within an empty industrial aerosol container.

For companies that use small volumes of industrial paint (less than 100 containers per year) the most convenient solution is to return the empty aerosol container to the distributor from whom you purchased the paint.

For companies that use large volumes of industrial aerosol paint (greater than 100 aerosol containers per year) the use of a New Pig Aerosol Evacuator in a well vented area is the most cost-effective and efficient method of disposal. The hand-operated evacuator can puncture and evacuate between 180 to 200 containers per hour. The residual paint can then be reused and the punctured steel container recycled. The hand-operated evacuators are being supplied to customers of Aervoe-Pacific, Nelson and Isico paint at cost. Also note, the evacuator is effective in processing and recycling other aerosol containers used on site.

For companies working in remote locations, evacuating the pressurized paint and propellant (using the procedures outlined above) and the stockpiling the steel containers is recommended until a bulk steel recycler visits the site. The evacuation of the container also represents a "good-housekeeping" practice in the event of a fire and avoids the need for a storage permit for empty aerosol containers under the Hazardous Waste Regulation.

Transportation of Empty Aerosol Containers

Empty aerosol containers in their original boxes receive a "limited quantity" exemption from the Federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act shipping requirements and are not considered a hazardous waste under the Provincial Hazardous Waste Regulation. Empty aerosol containers not shipped in original boxes must be shipped as a dangerous good and a hazardous waste.

Evacuated aerosol containers are not considered a dangerous good or a hazardous waste because the container has been punctured and the residual propellant and the paint have been removed.

An industry eco-fee of $0.20 per aerosol container will be levied effective September 1, 2009 to cover the costs of the operation and administration of the program. Eco-fees for forest companies that use an aerosol evacuator will be waived.