Bear spray is exploding in the trash near Yellowstone National Park

Multiple bear spray cans have exploded during trash compaction at a transfer station near Yellowstone National Park, causing safety hazards for sanitation workers. The incidents, occurring roughly once a month, highlight ongoing disposal challenges amid rising park visitation and increased use of bear spray by visitors.

The explosions happen at a transfer station in Park County, Montana, where garbage from Yellowstone gateway communities is processed. According to Matt Whitman, director of the Park County Public Works Department, the latest explosion occurred in mid-April, forcing crews to evacuate and ventilate the facility due to the spread of bear spray mist.

Bear spray, a flammable aerosol designed to deter bears, is commonly carried by visitors in Yellowstone. Many discard expired or unused cans in the trash, as there are no current recycling programs in the area. Past programs, such as those operated by Counter Assault and UDAP, have ceased, leaving disposal primarily to trash collection, which can be dangerous due to the explosive nature of the cans.

Whitman notes that incidents have increased over the past six years, correlating with the rise in park visitors—3.8 million in 2020 and approximately 4.8 million in 2025—leading to more cans being discarded improperly. The transfer station’s staff regularly experience explosions that delay work and cause discomfort, as the bear spray mist irritates their eyes and respiratory systems.

Why It Matters

This situation underscores safety hazards for sanitation workers and the environment, as exploding cans can cause injuries and release chemical irritants. It also highlights the broader challenge of managing waste from increased tourism in protected areas, raising questions about proper disposal and recycling of hazardous materials like bear spray.

With no current disposal facilities or recycling options, the problem risks worsening as park visitation continues to grow. The incidents also reflect a need for better public education on safe disposal practices and the development of sustainable recycling programs for hazardous aerosol cans.

Background

Yellowstone National Park has seen a steady increase in visitors over recent years, with millions of tourists carrying bear spray for safety. Historically, programs to recycle used or expired bear spray cans operated in Montana but have since ended. The lack of dedicated disposal options has led many to discard cans in trash, which are now known to explode during processing.

Previous efforts by companies like Counter Assault and UDAP to establish recycling initiatives are no longer active, leaving local waste management to handle the cans without specialized procedures. The rising incidents of explosions at transfer stations reflect this gap in safe disposal infrastructure.

“We fairly frequently pop open a can of bear spray, which then spreads throughout the entire transfer station, forcing my guys to try to get out of the building as quickly as they can.”

— Matt Whitman, Director of Park County Public Works

“There’s no end game for those cans. People carry bear spray for safety, but disposing of it properly remains a challenge.”

— Evan Stout, Yellowstone Wildlife Guide Company

What Remains Unclear

It is not yet clear whether new disposal or recycling programs will be implemented soon, or how widespread the explosion incidents are beyond the reported cases. The exact number of cans discarded improperly remains unknown, and the long-term safety measures are still under discussion.

What’s Next

The Park County Public Works Department plans to install six bear spray-specific collection containers to reduce improper disposal. Authorities are also exploring options for establishing or reviving recycling programs and increasing public awareness about safe disposal practices.

Further developments may include new regulations or guidelines for tourists and locals regarding bear spray disposal, as well as potential partnerships with waste management entities to handle hazardous aerosol cans more safely.

Key Questions

Why are bear spray cans exploding in the trash?

Bear spray cans are pressurized aerosol containers that can explode if punctured or subjected to compression during trash processing, especially if they are expired or damaged.

What risks do these explosions pose to workers?

Explosions can cause physical injuries and release irritant chemicals, which can harm workers’ eyes, respiratory systems, and skin, as well as delay waste processing operations.

Are there safe ways to dispose of bear spray?

Currently, there are limited options in the Yellowstone area. Some rental companies offer bear spray for temporary use, and efforts are underway to install collection containers, but dedicated recycling programs are lacking.

Will there be new disposal programs for bear spray?

Authorities are considering new collection and recycling initiatives, but no definitive plans or timelines have been announced yet.