How to Dispose of Paint Properly

Did you know every year, millions of gallons of paint are thrown out? That is a lot of waste, and it can be hazardous if not disposed of properly. Oil-based paints in particular cannot be used after a long period of storage. For this reason, it’s important to find out how to dispose of it before it becomes a hazard.

Paints Contain Hazardous Materials

Old paints are considered hazardous household waste. They contain toxic material and are flammable as well. When you hire a painting company in Fairfield County, it is a good idea to get a proper estimate of how much paint you’re really going to need. This will help save you money and reduce the amount of paint you must dispose of later.

On the other hand, latex and water-based paint are not hazardous and can be reused many times, even after long periods of storage, although, some latex paints contain mercury. This is why you should never just pour it in the drain or leave it out for regular trash pick-up. Disposing of paint the wrong way can contaminate the air, water and soil. Therefore, it is vital to find out how to dispose of your old paint without having a negative effect on the environment.

What Can You Do with Old Paint?

Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of any paint you purchase:

• If you’ve stored your old paint the right way and it is still reusable, use it for touch-ups around the house.
• If you cannot make use of your old paint, see if someone else can. A lot of painters will happily accept your left over paint.
• Recycle your old paint. You can do so by contacting painting contractors in Fairfield County and the surrounding areas.

How to Dispose of Paint

If none of the options above work for you and you have to dispose of paint, turn it into solid waste. Depending on how much you have left, here’s how to discard paint:

• Small quantity: If you have less than a quarter of your paint left, you can let it dry out in the sun. Just make sure that kids or animals can’t get to it while it’s drying out.
• Large quantity: If there’s still quite a bit of paint left in the can, there are a few different ways you can get rid of it. One way is to brush it on some newspaper and then let it dry out. You can also pour your paint into a cardboard box and mix it with cat litter, sand or shredded paper to help the hardening process. Once the paint turns into a solid state, you can put it with your regular trash. Make sure you leave the lid open or label it as paint so your trash pickup personnel is aware.

Why Trust Shoreline Painting & Drywall for Your Painting Needs?

Whether you need help with disposing of paint or want to transform your home’s exterior, our trained team is here to help. We have over 35 years of experience and are committed to meeting all kinds of residential and commercial painting needs.

When you trust our family-owned and -operated business, you can always expect tailored advice and the highest-quality results possible. With our support and services, you’ll be able to take advantage of:

• Enhanced protection.
• Superior preparation.
• Improved home value.
• Beautiful appearance.

Not Sure What to Do When Throwing Out Paint?

If you need help getting rid of old paint, Shoreline Painting & Drywall can help. No matter what type or how much paint you have left over, our staff is here to make sure it gets disposed of promptly and safely. To learn more about our services and how we can help, we invite you to give us a call at 203-302-1086 or fill out our online contact form to get started.