How to Dispose of Pepper Spray Containers in Sacramento County, CA

If you have pepper spray containers to get rid of, you can't simply throw them in the trash. Because pepper spray contains harmful chemicals in an aerosol can, it needs to be disposed of safely. Specific disposal guidelines vary by state and even local counties. Across the state of California, including Sacramento County, empty aerosol containers, such as the kind pepper spray comes in, may be disposed of according to normal disposal regulations. However, any non-empty aerosol container is classified as "universal waste," a type of hazardous waste, and must be disposed of accordingly.

Instructions

Empty container disposal

• 1

  Do not throw empty pepper spray containers in the trash. This is not an acceptable method of disposal for aerosol containers.

• 2

  Place empty pepper spray aerosol containers in a mixed recycling container. In Sacramento County, mixed recycling is collected every other week.

• 3

  Place your mixed recycling containers at the side of the curb by 6 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Place the containers on the street rather than the sidewalk, and keep the containers at least six feet away from cars, boats or other stationary objects.

Partially-empty containers

• 4

  Read the label if your pepper spray container is only partially empty. Any partially-empty aerosol container is classified as universal waste, but check to see if the contents of your pepper spray are labeled as toxic or hazardous before disposal.

• 5

  Transport full or partially-full pepper spray containers to designated Sacramento County waste disposal areas. These areas include either the Kiefer Landfill in Sloughhouse or the North Area Recovery Station in North Highlands. There is no fee to dispose of pepper spray containers.

  At Kiefer Landfill, bring the containers to the hazardous household waste disposal area between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. At North Area Recovery Station, bring the containers to the household hazardous facility between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

• 6

  Follow proper procedures for transporting the containers. The Sacramento County waste disposal facilities require that you keep products in their original containers, making sure lids are sealed. Place leaking containers in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Do not mix products. Transport your products either in the back of a truck or in the trunk of a car.