Paint
Proper handling and disposal of paint is different for oil-based and latex paints.
LATEX paints manufactured after 1978 are not considered hazardous and can therefore be placed with regular household garbage once the paint has been allowed to dry. To speed up the drying process, simply remove the lid from the can and add one of the following items to the paint:
- Kitty litter
- Sawdust
- Newspaper scraps
When using kitty litter, the recommended formula is one unit of kitty litter for every two units of paint. If you have more than 1/2 gallon of paint or need to dispose of it more quickly, you might consider visiting your local hardware store and purchasing a packet of paint hardener. (Paint hardener packets usually cost only a few dollars but will harden your paint in minutes.)
Be sure to leave the lid OFF when placing it with your garbage so that waste collectors can see that the paint is dry.
OIL-BASED paints are Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and should be handled as such. If dealing in large quantities of paint or other unknown chemicals, please consult one of the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) vendors.
NOTE: Latex paints manufactured prior to 1978 may contain lead, which is considered a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and should be handled as such. Also, if dealing in large quantities of paint or other unknown chemicals, please consult one of the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) vendors.