Unit 4Refillable Spray Bottles

Baseline: Disposable Aerosol Cans

Environmental Concerns

• Propellants are greenhouse gases CO2, propane, butane

• Empty cans

• Partially-filled cans

propellants

cleaning products

P2 Alternative: Refillable Bottles

• Metal Bottles: pressurized with shop air

• Plastic Bottles: pressurized with hand pump

Making It Work

Purchasing

• Canister Capacity

• Canister Type Steel, aluminum, plated

Must be compatible with solution

• Nozzle Type Stream, spray, or adjustable

Extensions

Keep Small, Inexpensive Replacement Parts on Hand

Blow-Out Clogs

Use Clean, Water-Free, Compressed Air

Chemical “Tool Boxes”

Show the contents of the bottle on the label

Use Funnels and Pumps to Minimize Spills When Refilling

Payback Threshold

If you use 20 aerosol cans per month or more:Payback < 1 year and annual savings = $250

1) A shop uses 13-fluid oz. of aerosol cans at a cost of $2 per can

2) No disposal costs3) 5 refillable spray bottles are purchased at $50 each4) Bulk product costs $10 per gallon

Local Use Restrictions

• Some AQMD s & APCD s allow ONLY LOW VOC cleaners (less than 50 g/l) used in refillable spray bottles For example: SCAQMD, Ventura Co., San Joaquin

Valley

• SCAQMD list of suppliers - web page: http://www.aqmd.gov/business/water.html

• Stainless steel bottles compatible with water based cleaners

• Use caution when selecting alternatives

BeforeBrake cleaningaerosol cans per year 260 ($3.09 each)

AfterRefillable Spray Bottles 10 (1-quart) Capital cost $400Bulk product cost/gallon $14.00Annual Savings: $1,654Payback Period: 3 months

Case Study 1: City of Sunnyvale

Case Study 2:Glenmoor Auto Repair

BeforeBrake and carburetor cleaning and lubricant aerosol cans per year (avg.) 516 total

$3.96 eachAfterRefillable Spray Bottles 6 (1-quart)

3 (10 oz) Capital cost $450Bulk product cost/gallon $19.20 (average)Annual savings $1,460Payback period 4 months

Case Study 3: Salem Boys AutoBeforeBrake and carburetor cleaning aerosol cans per year 2,100 total

$1.65 each (average)AfterRefillable Spray Bottles 30 (1-quart)Capital cost $0 (free bulk

product purchase)Bulk product cost/gallon: $6.95 (average)Annual savings: $2,035Payback period: Immediate

Take Home Messages

• Material use efficiency

• Bulk product is much cheaper

• Make filling easy and spill-free

• Check local use restrictions- AQMD

& Fire Dept.