How to Dispose of Paint

After completing a painting project, you'll probably have some excess paint. There are a variety of options for dealing with this extra paint.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper Bag
• Sawdust, sand or cat litter

1. Set aside a some of the paint for future touch-ups; store paint in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place.

2. Ask neighbors, friends and family if they have a need for the paint. Giving the paint to others who need it is an excellent way to keep it out of landfills. Or consider participating in a paint swap. (See Related eHows.)

3. Contact your local hazardous materials resource center to find out about additional paint disposal options. Some counties have paint recycling or disposal programs.

4. As a last option, if you must dispose of latex or water-based paint, fill a paper bag with sawdust, sand or cat litter. Pour remaining latex into the bag. Wait for the paint to be absorbed by the sawdust, sand or cat litter. Dispose of the paper bag with your household trash.

5. Do not use the bag disposal method for oil-based paints. Oil-based paints pose potential environmental and public health risks. Contact your county hazardous materials resource center for information about disposing of oil-based paints in your area.

Tips & Warnings

• Put more sawdust, sand or cat litter in the bag than you estimate is needed to prevent the bag from becoming saturated with paint. The excess sawdust, sand or cat litter can be removed after the paint is absorbed.
• Consumer paints manufactured before 1978 may contain lead. Latex paints manufactured prior to 1990 may contain mercury. If your paint fits either of these criteria, contact your county hazardous materials resource center for information about disposing of the paint safely.
• Never pour paint down drains or allow it to drain into gutters where it can pollute waterways and harm wildlife.