Can You Recycle Whipped Cream Cans?
If there’s one thing that whipped cream is known for, it’s adding a rich flavor to even the most mundane of foods. That’s why it’s easy to go through several cans of whipped cream every year, especially if you have kids.
So what do you do when you end up with tons of empty whipped cream cans in your house? Can you recycle them? Well, that’s what we’re going to talk about today.
What are whipped cream canisters made out of?
Whipped cream canisters are made of steel and aluminum. Apart from the cream, they usually contain nitrous oxide. This is what propels the whipped cream as it comes out of the can.
Are whipped cream cans recyclable?
Yes, whipped cream cans can be recycled. You just have to ensure that they are empty beforehand. All steel and aluminum aerosol cans can be recycled with other types of metal packaging.
How do you recycle whipped cream canisters?
To recycle your whipped cream canister, follow the steps below:
- Get rid of any leftover whipped cream by facing it towards a dessert or kitchen sink and pressing its nozzle until no more cream comes out
- Continue pressing the nozzle until you don’t hear a hissing sound. Silence means the can doesn’t have any gas left inside it. You can also press the nozzle while the can is under running water to see if there’s any gas left
- Rinse the nozzle and the areas around it
- Store the can with other empty aerosol cans you are planning to recycle
- Throw your can in your metal recycling bin if your local authorities accept this. Ensure you separate it from its cap and recycle the latter separately depending on what it’s made of
- Alternatively, you can take your whipped cream cans to a metal scrap yard
Remember, many curbside recycling programs accept whipped cream cans and other aerosol cans. But if you’re not sure yours does, you can call your local authorities and confirm this or have them refer you to a facility that accepts these cans.
Ultimately, recycling is the best way to get rid of these cans. If you throw them in the garbage, they will just sit in the landfill for years. Also, they may end up causing accidents.
Should I crush whipped cream cans before recycling them?
No, you shouldn’t crush whipped cream cans before recycling them. You shouldn’t pierce them either. Doing these things can cause accidents because of the nitrous oxide present in whipped cream cans.
Another thing that you shouldn’t do is try to remove the nozzle of your whipped cream can. This isn’t necessary and can even cause accidents.
What else can I do with empty whipped cream containers?
Apart from recycling or throwing out your empty whipped creams, you can also reuse them in your home. The easiest way to do this is to paint them and draw patterns on them to make ornaments and toys.
What are the advantages of recycling whipped cream cans?
The top advantages of recycling whipped cream cans are:
- It’s good for the environment
Not only does recycling these metal cans free up space in landfills, but it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It does the latter by reducing the need to create new metal.
Some even estimate that recycling metal can prevent the production of up to 500 million tons of greenhouse gases. It also helps that recycling metal helps us conserve our natural resources.
- It can make you money
If you regularly take your empty metal cans to scrap yards, you can make a significant amount of money. However, the exact amount you’ll make will depend on the type of metal you recycle regularly; each one has its price.
- It creates job opportunities
The people who work at metal recycling plants wouldn’t have jobs if we didn’t recycle our metal objects.
Can you recycle whipped cream chargers?
Yes, you can recycle whipped cream chargers. Just ensure that they are clean and don’t have any gas before you do so. Like whipped cream cans, they can be recycled through curbside recycling or taking them to the metal scrap yard.
Ultimately, only your local authorities can let you know if it’s okay to put them in your metal recycling bin.
Recycle as much as you can
When it comes to the disposal of whipped cream cans, the most sustainable path is to recycle as many as possible.