I remain perplexed about buying and disposing of bear spray.

Question

I'm thinking that every day in Anchorage, many, many people are buying bear spray for the days-weeks that they'll be visiting Alaska, and hardly anyone ever needs to use it. And then it just gets tossed in the trash?

I had posted about this before, and someone mentioned that they wouldn't want to risk carrying bear spray that wasn't brand-new out of the packaging, but I'd would be willing to take that risk, as I'm more trusting that a fellow tourist wouldn't purposefully deplete a can a bear spray, and then try to pass it off as unused.

Is there really no system to prevent so much waste, both financial waste and resource waste? Is it really just tourists buying and throwing out bear spray?

Answer

Bear spray in Alaska is indeed a commonly purchased item for visitors, particularly in areas like Anchorage, Denali, and other parts of the state where bear encounters are possible. Most tourists purchase it as a precaution, even if they never end up using it, and yes, many cans are discarded after a trip.

The reasons for this are largely safety-related. Bear spray is a pressurized aerosol and is considered a safety device, not a typical consumer product. Once purchased, its effectiveness can degrade over time, and authorities generally recommend using a new, unopened can for each trip. There is no reliable way for an individual to verify that a pre-owned can has not been partially discharged or is still fully effective. For this reason, most rental companies, outdoor shops, and guides discourage or prohibit the use of previously opened cans.

Regarding waste, there isn’t a formal system to redistribute or recycle unused bear spray. The challenge comes from safety and legal considerations:

Bear spray is considered hazardous due to its pressurized contents and capsaicin-based formula, so disposal and transport are regulated.
There is a liability risk if a previously used or partially discharged can fails to protect someone in a wildlife encounter.
It’s difficult to verify authenticity and full functionality of returned cans, so resale or redistribution is generally not allowed.

Some options that people use to minimize waste include:

Purchasing smaller cans if available, which are easier to finish during a trip and produce less leftover spray.
Checking if your lodging, tour, or outdoor outfitter offers temporary rentals of bear spray, which can be returned after the trip. These programs exist in some high-traffic tourist areas, but they are not widespread.
Proper disposal at designated hazardous waste collection points rather than regular trash. Some local municipalities or stores may accept old or unused cans for safe disposal.

In short, yes, a significant amount of bear spray is purchased and then discarded unused, largely because safety concerns prevent effective reuse. There are limited recycling or rental programs, but for most tourists, the easiest option is to buy a new can and dispose of it according to local regulations after use.

I remain perplexed about buying and disposing of bear spray.

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