Universal Wastes for Michigan

Environmental and Safety – Universal Wastes for Michigan – Now Includes Aerosol Cans

Michigan has adopted the Federal EPA Final Rule that added hazardous waste aerosol cans to the federal universal waste list. Many other states have as well, so if you are outside of Michigan, you will want to check your state requirements for this. The new requirements allow a company to dispose of empty and non-empty aerosol cans as universal waste instead of hazardous waste.

If you currently puncture your aerosol cans and recycle the empty can, this is also an accepted practices and you can continue to do this if you like.

For organizations that only have a few aerosol cans or no puncture system, this newer rule can allow for a disposal option that is less onerous and potential lest costly that disposing of non-empty aerosols as hazardous waste. Additionally, any universal waste aerosol cans would not count towards the organizations’ hazardous waste quantity.

There are specific labelling and storage requirements for Aerosol cans disposed of as universal waste and good guidance is provided in the Michigan Guide linked below.

Also be sure to check with your waste hauler to see if they have any specific options or requirements for disposal as well.

Link to a guide for Michigan.