What items are dangerous or forbidden to send through a metal shredder (like sealed tanks or aerosol cans)?
Short answer: Anything sealed and pressurised or capable of holding trapped fuel, gas, or vapour is a serious explosion risk in an industrial shredder — this includes propane cylinders, aerosol cans, sealed fuel tanks, fire extinguishers, refrigerant-charged compressors, and closed drums — all of these need to be drained, vented, or excluded before scrap reaches a shredder.
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List Free →Why sealed containers are genuinely dangerous
A shredder applies enormous mechanical force to everything fed into it — if a sealed container still holds pressurised gas, trapped fuel vapour, or residual flammable liquid, that force can trigger a violent explosion inside the machine, which is a real safety incident, not a theoretical risk.
The common offenders
Propane and gas cylinders, aerosol cans, unopened fire extinguishers, sealed fuel tanks (including from cars, boats, and mowers), and hermetically sealed refrigerant compressors from fridges and air conditioners are the most frequently flagged items.
What a responsible seller does
Drain fuel tanks, discharge or puncture (where safe and legal) pressurised items, and disclose anything you’re unsure about to the buyer upfront — reputable buyers will tell you exactly how they want these items prepared or whether they need to be handled through a separate hazardous-item process.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
ScrapTrade’s buyer messaging lets you flag potentially hazardous items before pickup, so preparation expectations are clear on both sides ahead of time.
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