Eco Corner: Paint Disposal Options
It’s summer. The weather is finally warm enough to tackle all of the home improvement projects you ignored during the winter months. Yes,
that means it’s time to clean up that mess in the garage. But the task can be so very daunting. There are so many things that you just don’t know what to do with. What should you do with that old bike? Those stacks of books? The box of old photographs? What about those half-filled paint cans?
While we don’t have any advice on what to do with the old photos, we can tell you how to safely dispose of old paint.
First, see if you can use up any leftover paint to patch up areas around the house, or ask your neighbors if they could use some paint. If it is latex paint, let the can dry completely after the paint is used up, scrape out any paint remnants into the garbage and then recycle the clean paint can in your recycling bin. If you have a significant amount of usable paint left, Habitat for Humanity and many local theatre groups, churches, and housing authorities will accept it.
If your latex paint is not usable and you cannot dry it out yourself, some hardware stores will accept it for recycling in its original container. Visit SWANCC's web page for latex paint disposal options for a complete list of stores that recycle latex paint (may involve fees).
Unlike latex paint, oil-based paint must be disposed of at a facility that accepts household chemical wastes. If you are unable to bring the paint to a facility yourself, you can contact a disposal company to pick up your paint for a fee. Visit SWANCC's web site for a list of disposal companies and facilities that accept household chemical wastes.