In a busy facility, partially used aerosol cans and paint buckets can stockpile fast. Don't let too many accumulate! The best practice is to establish a system to use, store, and dispose of these products-before they become a problem for you. Examples of materials contained in aerosol cans and paint materials in a ground/vehicle maintenance facility include, but are not limited to:

• Brake cleaners
• Spray paints
• Miscellaneous lubricants (e.g., WD-40)
• Used paint buckets
• Old cans of previously used paint

Depending on the contents of your facility's aerosol cans, or depending on the nature of your paint materials, air emissions (e.g., VOC limits), hazardous substance reporting, or hazardous waste generator requirements may apply to your facility. For example, with respect to aerosol cans: depleting the propellant in an aerosol can may result in contents remaining in the can, which may be hazardous waste. If the nozzle of an aerosol can is broken or clogged and can no longer be used, then the can remains under pressure, rendering the can a hazardous waste. If the can is empty of both propellant and contents, then the can is truly empty and non-hazardous.

Paint spray booths are another matter. If you have one, it may trigger specific air quality regulations or hazardous waste requirements (for the spray booth filters or water for water curtain type spray booths). To learn more about these requirements, as well as best management practices, continue through this activity area.