Recycling of Graffiti (Paint) Spray Cans

As a seller of graffiti spray cans, we consider it our duty to inform you about the recycling of these products. In this article, we explain how you can process these products in an environmentally friendly way.

What does recycling actually mean?

Simply put, recycling means that things are not thrown away, but that the material is reused. The recycling process is also known as "material recovery." Glass, paper, cardboard, iron, non-ferrous metals, and plastics are particularly suitable for this. An important condition for "material recovery" is that recyclable materials are collected as purely as possible or easily separated from other waste.

As a general rule:

Most spray cans can be returned to the recycling system after they are completely empty. It is important to separate all possible packaging parts without using tools! This means that all products must be completely empty and that the individual packaging components must be separated from each other. Caps must be removed from the spray cans, as well as any 'color donuts' or stickers found on certain spray can brands.

If graffiti spray cans are not completely empty, they should be handed in at collection points such as recycling centers, reuse centers, etc. Note that the names of municipal collection points can sometimes differ (recycling square, recycling street, recycling center, mobile hazardous waste collection, etc.). Not sure where to go? Contact your local municipality.

How should you recycle Graffiti Spray Cans?

Recycling empty graffiti spray cans varies from place to place, depending on where you are and who is responsible for recycling in your municipality. While the information below is a general guide, we always recommend contacting your local municipality or the government organization(s) in charge of waste management in your region.

Most graffiti spray cans can be returned to the recycling system once they are completely empty. Crucial is the separation of detachable parts of the spray can, such as the plastic lids or interchangeable nozzles (caps), and packaging materials such as cardboard boxes, without using tools that could puncture the container.

For cans with small residual amounts, it may be possible to spray into an old cloth, rag, or absorbent material to empty them. These cloths or rags can be disposed of with household waste once they are dry. Dispose of plastic and cardboard waste in the designated recycling bins as indicated by your local municipality. Completely empty cans without pressure or content can usually be recycled with the standard metal product recycling program in your area.

What to do if a spray can is not completely empty

If there is still a little paint left in the spray can, you can try to puncture it (using, for example, a triangle scraper) at a legal wall, to use the final remnants for a cool fill-in or background. Watch out: The paint will come out of the spray can quickly and uncontrollably, so be careful.

After puncturing, you can have the spray cans recycled.

Mixing spray cans

You can also mix the last remnants of paint in a spray can into another empty spray can. This way you don't waste any paint and even top up another spray can with paint, win-win!

What you need:

• 1 empty spray can
• A freezer
• A number of spray cans that still contain a remnant of paint
• 2x Needle caps
• A bucket of warm water

Follow these steps to mix the paint:

1. Place the empty spray can in the freezer. You do this to lower the pressure in the spray can.
2. Fill the bucket with warm water and place the spray cans that still have paint remnants in it.
3. Wait until the spray can in the freezer is cold and the spray cans in the bucket are warm.
4. Take the 2 needle caps. Remove the tube from 1 of the caps. Now connect the 2 caps together using the tube.
5. Put the caps on the spray cans. Ensure the warm spray can is on the bottom and the cold (empty) spray can is on top.
6. Press both caps in to transfer the paint remnant into the empty spray can; repeat this with all spray cans until you have mixed all the paint.

Would you prefer to recycle anyway?

It is sometimes not possible to completely empty old aerosol products that no longer have pressure. The result may be that cans still contain small amounts of liquid (paint). In that case, it is important to dispose of these products correctly according to the guidelines and requirements of your municipality. If the spray cans are not completely empty, they can be handed in at collection points such as government-run recycling centers or waste processing sites.

Due to different forms of administration, categorization, and management of municipal waste treatment, rules may vary per municipality; contact your local municipality or government agency if you need more information for recycling your graffiti spray cans.