Whether you're updating your walls with a fresh color or revamping an old piece of furniture, it can be difficult to know exactly how much paint you'll need. And even if you calculated carefully to purchase precisely the right amount, there's a good chance you'll still have some leftover paint after finishing your project. Those partially empty paint cans can't simply be tossed into the garbage, so learning how to dispose of paint properly is important.
Make sure you're not throwing away liquid paint, which could potentially allow toxic chemicals to contaminate the environment. Some states and municipalities have specific rules about paint disposal, so check before you begin. If you have paint leftover from past projects, some of which might have been sitting around for a long time, follow these guidelines on how to dispose of latex and oil-based paint.
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The good news is that paint lasts long when properly stored indoors, away from temperature extremes, and with the lid securely in place. In fact, latex paint can last up to 10 years when stored properly, and oil-based (or alkyd) paint can remain usable for up to 15 years.
So before you get rid of old paint, pop the lid and take a whiff. If it just smells like paint, it's likely still usable. If it smells rotten, it's best to dispose of the paint. Another way to tell if the paint is still usable is to check whether dried chunks or layers are at the bottom or sides of the can. Remove any skin that formed on the top and give the paint a stir. Brush out a sample onto a scrap piece of cardboard and see if the color's right and glides on smoothly.
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How to Donate Paint
If everything looks (and smells) good, consider donating the paint to an organization that can use or resell it. Some options include schools, community theaters, shelters, or Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Always call ahead and check to make sure it's needed before dropping it off and to get the organization's guidelines for what's acceptable. To find a retail store near you to drop off leftover paint, PaintCare has a search option to find a location in your area. Locations accept all kinds of paint and will take lacquers, shellacs, and other surface treatments as well but may have requirements for how much paint is left in the can.
If you have large quantities of usable paint, consider posting on sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to see if someone in your community is interested
There are many creative ways to use leftover paint for new projects that you might want to consider, too.
How to Dispose of Latex Paint
Most waste collection companies request that only solidified latex paint be thrown into the garbage and taken to landfills. If only a small amount of latex paint is left in the can, remove the lid and let it air dry. An alternate way of how to dispose of paint is to pour it onto a newspaper-covered surface and let it dry. Throw the newspaper, dried paint, and can into the garbage for pickup.
To dry larger quantities of paint, add cat litter or shredded newspaper to the paint, stir, and let it air dry inside the can. If there's one inch or less in the can, it will take a few days for the paint to fully dry. Throw the can and its dried contents into the garbage for regular pickup. You can also purchase paint hardener, available at many home improvement stores, for a few dollars; add it to the paint (up to ⅔ of a gallon), allow it to harden, and throw it all in the trash.
Oil- and alkyd-based paints are considered hazardous waste. When disposed of improperly, they could harm sources of drinking water. So rather than throw oil- or alkyd-base paints in the regular garbage, call your local waste authority to find out how to dispose of oil-based paints. You'll usually take the expired paints to a local hazardous waste drop-off site. Or leave it on the curb during your community's hazardous waste collection day.
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How to Properly Store Paint
To help latex and oil-base paints keep for many years, put plastic wrap across the top of the can opening and replace the lid, ensuring a tight seal with a few taps from a rubber mallet. Turn the paint can upside down to create a strong seal and store it on a shelf where temperatures remain moderate and steady.
Paints should not be disposed of with regular household trash due to their potentially hazardous ingredients. Instead, they should be taken to a collection site designed for handling hazardous waste. Following the label disposal directions on the paint can is crucial for safe disposal.
Mix saw dust or cat litter into the paint. Stir with a stick until well blended. (Alternatively, you can use a commercially made paint hardener, purchased from a paint or hardware store) Add more sawdust or litter as necessary, until the consistency of the mixture is crumbly.
Allow paint to dry in cans by removing lid and allowing liquids to evaporate. Paint cans should be less than 1/3 full. This can take several days. If more than 1/3 full, pour some paint into coffee can, ice cream bucket, or similar container.
The container with the solid sediments should be disposed of as hazardous waste. Bring it to your hazardous waste disposal facility, follow a curbside hazardous waste collection, or have a professional do it for you. The same process applies to stale, unusable thinner that needs to be disposed of.
If there is a larger amount of paint in the can (more than a few centimetres deep), add some dry soil, sand or sawdust to the can and leave to harden. Next, take your paint cans to your nearest household waste recycling centre – your local council can let you know where this is.
Option 1: Oil and Latex-based paints can be placed out in regular trash but they must be solidified first. Harden the paint by mixing it with kitty litter or another absorbent pellet material (such as Speedy-Dri) until no liquid remains. The more absorbent the material, the faster the paint will harden.
Even washing paint brushes in the sink can lead to a clog if the paint isn't diluted sufficiently with enough water. Consider using a container to clean paint brushes and dispose of bulk paint at your local hazardous waste center.
Heat guns: These tools soften paint without chemicals, allowing for easier scraping. Steam strippers: These are particularly useful for wallpaper and paint removal on large, flat surfaces. Infrared paint removers: These devices heat the paint from the inside out, making it easy to scrape away.
Storage: Due to their higher amounts of VOCs and resins, store them away from heat and sources of fire. Disposal: When completely dry, it can be thrown in the trash. For larger amounts, if it cannot be reused, take it to a disposal facility.
To solidify paint, use one of the following methods:
Mix latex paint with an equal amount of cat litter, stir in completely and allow to dry. Mix latex paint with a latex paint hardener; stir and allow to harden. Paint hardener can be purchased at your local hardware store. Follow the directions on the package.
Adding an absorbent material, such as kitty litter or sawdust, will speed the drying process. kitty litter or other absorbent material to absorb all the liquid. Let the remaining paint dry in the can by following the above instructions. Once dried, paint and painted surfaces may be disposed in the trash.
You can solidify oil-based paints by allowing their volatile contents to evaporate in a well-ventilated area.Then, mix remaining liquids with absorbents and allow it to harden. Alternatively, apply leftover paint to scrap lumber or cardboard. Keep children and pets away while these paints are drying.
Household chemicals are hazardous and should never be put in your recycling or garbage bin at home. If chemical waste is not handled correctly, it can have a serious impact on the environment. Household chemicals should be disposed of responsibly through specialised recycling and safe disposal services.
Let the paint dry completely or mix the paint residue with a sorbent such as cat box filler, shredded wood residues or sawdust and dispose of the dried material in your regular trash.
Since paint contains harmful substances that are dangerous to our health and environment, leftover paint is considered hazardous waste. If it ends up in the landfill, it can leach heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, and cadmium, and toxic chemicals in the soil and groundwater.
Recycling your paint ensures that compounds like VOCs and other flammable substances in paint are disposed of safely and don't enter local ecosystems. This keeps our soil, groundwater, and air free of toxins!
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