Aerosols: Just As Green As Everyone Else

Cleaning professionals are striving to green as much of their cleaning programs as possible and aerosols should be given the same consideration as their chemical counterparts.

Since 1978, aerosols have not contained chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants, which are ozone-depleting chemicals. More recently, aerosol cans and caps are made to be recyclable.

Aerosol manufacturers are also refining formulas to make products with minimal impact on the environment. One example is a two-piece can made with a minimum of 50 percent recycled steel. Traditional cans are three pieces and only made with a minimum of 25 percent recycled steel.

Caps are also becoming smaller and now only cover the nozzle, compared to the standard double-shell overcap. These small caps contain 75 percent less plastic.