Unit 4 Refillable 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 costs 3) 5 refillable spray bottles are purchased at $50 each 4) 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:  Stainless steel bottles compatible with water based cleaners Use caution when selecting alternatives

Before Brake cleaning aerosol cans per year260 ($3.09 each) After Refillable Spray Bottles 10 (1-quart) Capital cost $400 Bulk product cost/gallon$14.00 Annual Savings: $1,654 Payback Period: 3 months Case Study 1: City of Sunnyvale

Case Study 2: Glenmoor Auto Repair Before Brake and carburetor cleaning and lubricant aerosol cans per year (avg.)516 total $3.96 each After Refillable Spray Bottles 6 (1-quart) 3 (10 oz) Capital cost $450 Bulk product cost/gallon $19.20 (average) Annual savings $1,460 Payback period 4 months

Case Study 3: Salem Boys Auto Before Brake and carburetor cleaning aerosol cans per year2,100 total $1.65 each (average) After Refillable Spray Bottles 30 (1-quart) Capital cost $0 (free bulk product purchase) Bulk product cost/gallon: $6.95 (average) Annual savings: $2,035 Payback 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.