Paint Disposal Instructions

All home improvement painting projects result in excess materials, but paint disposal is not the only way to deal with these leftovers.



Us it up

• Storing paint properly will help keep it fresh so you can use it again some day.

• You can combine similar color paint leftovers and mix them in one can - oftentimes you will get a nice shade and enough paint for another project in your home. (NOTE: you can only combine the same types of paint successfully, so read the labels to know what you are dealing with - water-based, solvent/oil-based, exterior, interior, glossy, flat paint and so on.)

• Use leftover paint for areas where the finish color is not critical - utility closets, inside the shed, etc.

• Put on your creative hat and have fun with the leftover colors - you can paint multi-colored stripes, blocks, primitive murals or even wild abstracts on the walls in your garage, basement, hobby room or your kids' room!

• Give your paint a new life by offering it to your friends, neighbors or family members. You never know - they might use it for their own small projects.

• You can also donate paint to a local charity, high school drama department, church or Habitat for Humanity chapter where they can put it to a good use.

• Post an ad on a FreeCycle Network bulletin board and someone may offer to take the paint off your hands within minutes!

• Some major paint manufacturers are now starting to make recycled paints - ask your local paint store if they accept leftover paint for re-blending.

• Most recycling centers accept empty paint cans.

• To dispose of latex or water-based paint, it must be solidified first. Mix the paint with mulch, cat litter, shredded paper or sand and let it dry up with a lid open in a well ventilated area, away from children, pets and direct heat. Once it's hardened, you can put it in your household trash.

• Oil-based paint must never be put in the regular trash and should be taken to a local hazardous waste collection site. Click here to find a local oil-based paint disposal facility.

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