Why Bear Spray Should Never Go in Your Recycling
As hiking season begins and ends across British Columbia, a surprising item often finds its way into residential recycling: expired bear spray. While residents may have the best intentions when trying to dispose of it responsibly, placing bear spray in recycling can create serious safety risks for workers and facilities.
The Hidden Danger in the Recycling Stream
Bear spray is pressurized and highly hazardous when handled incorrectly. When these canisters enter the recycling system, they can become punctured or crushed during processing. The result can be dangerous and it happens more often than many people realize.
In fact, bear spray in recycling can cause fires at receiving facilities and facilities must immediately shut down operations to ensure worker safety. These shutdowns have far-reaching impacts:
- Processing lines stop completely
- Recycling trucks may be turned away or delayed
- Materials can pile up at facilities
- Backlogs strain the entire recycling system
- Service disruptions may occur for residents
If a receiving facility cannot process incoming material due to fires, machinery damage or other operational issues, waste haulers may be instructed to temporarily hold materials until operations resume. This can lead to delays and disruptions across the recycling network.
Why Bear Spray Doesn’t Belong in Recycling
Bear spray is classified as household hazardous waste. These materials require specialized handling, storage, and disposal procedures that recycling facilities are not equipped to manage.
Even empty canisters can still contain pressurized propellant, making them unsafe for standard recycling systems.
Where to Dispose of Bear Spray Safely
Instead of placing bear spray in your recycling, take it to a facility that accepts household hazardous waste. These locations have the proper equipment and procedures to manage hazardous materials safely.
Disposal Options in Metro Vancouver (for other areas in BC search rcbc.ca/recyclepedia)
The following locations may accept bear spray for a fee. Call ahead to confirm before visiting.
Canadian Empire Recycling (Surrey)
13119 84 Ave, Surrey, BC V3W 1B3
📞 604-889-2377
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://canadianempirerecycling.com/
Take My Hazwaste – Main Facility (Surrey)
12202 Old Yale Road, Surrey, BC V3V 3X5
📞 604-587-5865
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.takemyhazwaste.com/hazardous-waste-dropoff
Take My Hazwaste also partners with several bottle depots across Metro Vancouver that may accept hazardous materials.
Scott Road Bottle Depot (Surrey)
12111 86 Ave, Surrey, BC V3W 3H8
📞 604-543-0606
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on statutory holidays)
🌐 http://www.return-it.ca/locations/scott-road-bottle-depot/
South Van Bottle Depot (Vancouver)
34 E 69th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4K6
📞 604-325-3370
Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
🌐 http://www.return-it.ca/locations/south-van-bottle-depot/
Walnut Grove Bottle Depot & Return Centre (Langley)
20280 97 Ave, Langley, BC V1M 4B9
📞 604-513-0420
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🌐 https://www.return-it.ca/locations/walnut-grove-bottle-return-centre/
Many places may also accept hazardous items that should NOT go in your household recycling blue box or cart, such as:
- Propane canisters
- Paint cans (full or empty)
- Batteries
- Light bulbs
- Other special household wastes
Find a Hazardous Waste Location Near You
If you’re unsure where to dispose of bear spray or other hazardous household materials, check with the Recycling Council of British Columbia (RCBC). Their Recycling Hotline and online Recyclopedia search tool can help you find safe disposal locations near you.
Learn more about hazardous materials at: www.RecycleBC.ca/Hazardous
Help Keep Recycling Safe
Keeping hazardous materials out of recycling protects facility workers, equipment, and the entire recycling system. When in doubt, always check where an item belongs before placing it in your bin.
A quick check can help prevent fires, delays and disruptions and keep BC’s recycling system running safely and efficiently.