How to Dispose of House Paint

Find out if your house paint is a hazardous substance prior to disposal.

Using proper disposal methods for your household paint products is very important. Improper disposal methods introduce harmful chemicals into the environment. Improper disposal of potentially hazardous waste is also illegal. When disposing of house paint, contact the manufacturer to determine if the paint is a hazardous substance. If it isn't, throw the paint out in the garbage. Many communities provide disposal sites for hazardous waste where you bring your paint products and have them disposed of properly.

Instructions

Latex or Water-Based Paint

1. Request a non-hazardous statement from your paint vendor. Do not place any paint in the trash unless the vendor can verify in writing that your paint is non-hazardous. If you don't have this documentation, you could be open to fines for improper disposal.

2. Dry smaller amounts of paint into a solid form by leaving the paint can lid off. Brush larger amounts of paint onto layers of cardboard or newspaper and allow them to dry. Mix the paint with commercial paint hardener or kitty litter in a cardboard box and allow it to dry into a solid mass.

3. Place your items out for trash collection.

Oil-Based Paints

1. Store remaining paint securely until disposal. Be sure the cans are inaccessible by children or animals.

2. Contact your municipality or city hall for information about local hazardous-waste disposal sites. Many communities have mobile units that will come to your location during the year to pick up hazardous material.

3. Take your paint items to the waste site. There is no fee assessed for paint disposal.

Tips & Warnings

• Oil-based paint should never be drained into grass or sewer systems.

References

• Paints and Coatings Resource Center: Disposal of House Paint
• TLC Home: How to Dispose of Old Paint
• Planet Green: How to Dispose of Old Paint
• Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio: Household Hazardous Waste