Hazardous

Pressurised and flammable

Never puncture or crush it.

Spray paint can

Also called: spray paint, aerosol paint can, car paint spray, primer spray can, Plasti-kote can

Recycle at home

National rules. Choose your council to see its answer.

Your council's answer

The answer can differ by council. Choose your council to see its rules for this item.

How to prepare it

  1. Only put it in recycling once completely empty and not crushed
  2. If there's still paint inside, take it to the tip as hazardous waste

National rules

The answer isn't the same in every UK nation. Choose your council to see the one that applies to you.

England and Northern Ireland

Recycle at home

Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.

Only completely empty aerosols; don't pierce or crush them.

Also: Recycling centre

Scotland

Recycle at home

Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.

Only completely empty aerosols; don't pierce or crush them, and check your council takes them.

Also: Recycling centre

Scotland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

Wales

Recycle at home

Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.

Only completely empty aerosols go in with your cans and plastics; don't pierce or crush them.

Also: Recycling centre

Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

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Recycle This isn't run by or endorsed by any council or the government. Councils change their services, so check anything important with your council.