How To Dispose Of Out Of Date Pepper Spray

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The Night Rider

The Night Rider

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I have a couple of cans of OC that are past their expiration date.

I don't think it would be good idea to throw them in the dumpster intact because people go digging through our dumpsters all the time. So I was thinking about taking them out to the dumpster and just spraying them into the trash and then throwing the empty cans away.

Is there anything wrong with that idea?
 
You can take them to your local PD for disposal, I think. Spraying them empty might "backfire" if the wind picks up and you accidentally gas the people next door.
 
I buy bear spray from Sportsmans whenever the current canister expires. Probably should check date as it’s been a couple years and plan to be in the backcountry this summer knocking out the Wyoming Native Trout Slam.

I’ve gone twice now and sprayed the outdated can. I did this to get used to the spray pattern and distance. I have a HEALTHY respect for bears and wanted to know what the spray pattern was BEFORE a grizzly is bearing down on me. Since I’ve bought the same stuff over the years I can probably get by not spraying this one.

I just went out to check date but couldn’t locate it. Figures. I’ll finish another cup of coffee and check again while my mind is on it.
 
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I have a private back yard where I empty them (understandably not an option if you live in an apartment). I like to practice with them on a paper plate, tree, or some other makeshift target. Great way to have a better feel for the spray pattern, range, and understand what blow back can feel like (yum, spicy!).

I would not suggest spraying it all into a garbage bag, the mist would concentrate and likely splash back out, making it an unpleasant experience for you.
 
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In all seriousness, I would ask if it’s useful to the local PD for training or if they just dispose of it. If it’s the latter I would use it for my own education on how to deploy.
 
FB_IMG_1710349058517.jpg
This is what I'm planning on spraying it into. I don't want to just throw the cans away because I don't want the wrong person to get a hold of them. Maybe me fill in the dumpster up with OC will keep the crackheads out of it for a while
 
The Night Rider said:
View attachment 1199017
This is what I'm planning on spraying it into. I don't want to just throw the cans away because I don't want the wrong person to get a hold of them. Maybe me fill in the dumpster up with OC will keep the crackheads out of it for a while
Click to expand...
I would be worried it could effect the trash handlers during pickup and processing. Pepper spray burns the skin, not just the eyes... so even just getting it on your hands if you're the trash guy who needs to touch a garbage bag covered in pepper spray isn't great. Especially if you don't know it's just pepper spray, and are wondering if it's some type of toxic chemical that's burning you. I would just spray it into the ground somewhere out of the way.
 
I'd spray it out in some field somewhere away from people on a day with a gentle, but reliable, breeze.

Call it "training" so you know how it works, distance of spray, and spray pattern.

Then toss the empty.
 
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