How Do I Store and Dispose of Used Paint?

Nothing transforms an item, a room, or a whole house like a fresh coat of paint. It's fairly

easy, somewhat inexpensive, and generally doesn't require too much clean-up. Unless you are an expert in gauging exactly how much paint you will need or you are incredibly lucky, most of us always have some paint leftover. How are these half-full cans of paint disposed of properly? Well that depends on what type of paint you used.

The two types of paint available are water-based and oil-based. Water-based paint, also called latex paint, was invented in the 1940's in Canada, using the resin from a rubber tree as a binder. The binders that are currently used in latex paints are made from synthetic polyvinyl acetate resins and styrene butadiene, along with other synthetic binders. Clean-up after using latex paint is easily done with soap and water.


Oil-based paint was originally made from a linseed oil binder. This type of paint creates a hard, durable finish that resists scratches. Another term for oil-based is "alkyd", meaning that it was made from a synthetic oil not originally derived from petroleum or plants. Oil-based paint must be thinned or cleaned up with paint thinner, also called mineral spirits, or turpentine.

Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes waste from a number of household products such as paint. HHW items are banned from the landfill due to concerns with toxicity or special handling needs. " Chemicals, hazardous and toxic waste require special disposal methods to prevent environmental damage. County and State governments may enforce these prohibitions with stiff fines and penalties", solely to protect the environment. 

"Liquids of any kind are prohibited in landfills. Empty paint cans or cans with dried paint can go to the landfill. Old paint (liquid) and lead based paint (liquid or dried), thinners, and hazardous materials should be taken to" a HHW drop-off center.  "Never dump even small amounts of these paints or solvents into trash containers or on the land as it takes only very small amounts of these chemicals to cause a contamination problem."

Storage and ultimately, disposal of used paint and paint cans doesn't have to be a challenge. Here are some tips for both:

Storage:
Open the paint can and place plastic wrap over the end. Replace the lid and turn can upside down to store.

Disposal:
Water-Based Paint - To dispose of water-based paint, it must be dried before it is thrown away. Drying the remaining paint is as easy as stirring an additive, such as shredded paper, sand, kitty litter, or a product called "Paint Dry", which can be found at your local home improvement store. Once the paint is dry, replace the lid and throw it right into your regular trash. 

Oil-Based Paint - Most counties or cities have a HHW drop-off for such things as oil-based paint, paint thinner, and turpentine. Call your local Solid Waste Management District to find out more information.

To learn more about waste alternatives visit www.wasteawaygroup.com.

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