Priya Kapoor
If you have unwanted paint, there are several ways to dispose of it responsibly. You can ask your friends and family if they can use it, or find a local civic amenity centre, recycling centre, or drop-off location that accepts paint. PaintCare, for example, accepts up to five gallons of paint per visit. If you have a small amount of paint left, you can brush it onto scrap paper or cardboard and leave it to dry before disposing of it in your household bin. If there is a larger amount of paint in the can, you must harden it before disposal by adding dry soil, sand, or sawdust to the can and leaving it to dry. Then, take the hardened paint to your nearest household waste recycling centre, where plastic paint cans are disposed of responsibly and metal paint cans are sent for recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Disposing of leftover paint | Harden it before taking it to a recycling centre |
| Disposing of paint cans | Metal paint cans can be recycled at a local household waste recycling centre; plastic paint cans can be disposed of responsibly at such a centre |
| Disposing of paint containers | Containers with very small amounts of paint can be thrown in the general waste stream after the paint has been hardened |
| Disposing of hazardous waste | Solvent-based paint, paint thinner, and white spirit should be disposed of as hazardous waste at a civic amenity site |
| PaintCare drop-off sites | Accept up to 5 gallons of paint per visit, do not accept aerosol coatings, leaking, unlabeled, or empty containers |
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What You'll Learn
How to dispose of paint: harden it first
Paint cannot be placed in your household waste bin and must not be poured down the drain. If you have unwanted paint that is still usable, there are several ways to dispose of it. You can ask your friends and family if they can use it, or find a civic amenity centre, recycling centre or various drop-off locations near you. If the paint is not usable, you will need to make sure it is hardened before disposal.
If there is only a small amount of paint left in the can, you can leave it to air dry. Remove the lid and cover a surface with newspaper, then pour the paint onto the paper and let it dry. Throw the newspaper, dried paint, and can into the garbage for pickup.
If there is a larger amount of paint in the can (more than a few centimetres deep), you can add some dry soil, sand, sawdust, or cat litter to the can and leave it to harden. You can also purchase paint hardener from a hardware store or home improvement store and add it to the paint, allowing it to harden before disposal.
Once the paint is dry, pierce the dried paint and then take it to your nearest household waste recycling centre. Plastic paint cans will be disposed of responsibly, and metal paint cans will be sent for recycling.
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Plastic paint cans: disposal and recycling
Plastic paint cans are not widely recycled, but they can be disposed of responsibly at your local household waste recycling centre.
If you have unwanted paint that is still usable, there are several ways to dispose of it. You can ask your friends and family if they would like it, or donate it to a community centre, charity, place of worship, or local theatre. You can also return it to the store if it is unopened and you have a receipt and purchased it within a certain time frame.
If your paint is old and unsuitable for reuse, you will need to make sure it is hardened before disposing of it. Paint cannot be placed in your household waste bin or poured down the drain. To harden a small amount of paint, brush it onto scrap paper or cardboard and leave it to dry. You can then place the paper or cardboard in your household bin. For larger amounts of paint, add dry soil, sand, sawdust, or cat litter to the can and leave it to harden. You can also use a commercial paint hardener. Once the paint is dry, pierce it and then dispose of the can and paint in your household waste bin.
If you have leftover paint in the can, you should dispose of it at your local household waste recycling centre. Plastic paint cans will be disposed of responsibly, while metal paint cans will be sent for recycling. Some local recycling centres also have partnerships with local social enterprises to recycle paint.
The recyclability of plastic paint cans depends on the type of plastic they are made from. Polypropylene is typically recyclable, as is polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE). Hybrid paint cans, which are made from a combination of metal and plastic, can be recycled, but the metal ring must be removed from the plastic body. Paint cans with anti-rust coatings, such as Gold Phenolic or Gray Epoxy Phenolic linings, are also fully recyclable.
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Metal paint cans: disposal and recycling
Metal paint cans are often made from tin or tin-coated steel, which is recyclable. Rusty metal paint cans can also be recycled as the rust can be removed. Many paint cans have anti-rust coatings, such as Gold Phenolic or Gray Epoxy Phenolic linings, which are fully recyclable.
If you have unwanted paint that is still usable, there are several ways to dispose of it. You could ask friends and family, donate it to a local community group, or find a civic amenity centre, recycling centre or other drop-off locations near you.
If your paint is old and unsuitable for reuse, you will need to make sure it is hardened before disposal. Paint cannot be poured down the drain as it can cause damage and blockages. If there is only a small amount of paint left in the can, brush it onto scrap paper or cardboard and leave it to dry. The paper or cardboard can then be placed in your household bin. If there is more paint in the can, add some dry soil, sand or sawdust to the can and leave it to harden. You can also buy paint hardeners.
Once the paint is hardened, take the cans to your nearest household waste recycling centre. Metal paint cans are sent for recycling. Some local centres have partnered with social enterprises to recycle paint. You can also take your paint cans to a scrapyard.
It is important to research your local policies on paint disposal and recycling to avoid being fined for improper disposal.
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Disposing of hazardous waste paint
Determine the Type of Paint
Identify the type of paint you have, as different types require specific disposal methods. For example, solvent-based paint, paint thinner, and white spirit are typically classified as hazardous waste. Check the label on your paint can to identify its specific type and any disposal instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Harden Leftover Paint
If you have leftover paint that you cannot use, give away, or return, you must harden it before disposal. To do this, you can purchase a paint hardener or add absorbent materials such as sawdust, sand, or soil to the paint can. Leave the lid off until the paint becomes solid and dry. Remember, never pour liquid paint down the drain, as it can cause damage and blockages.
Locate Appropriate Disposal Facilities
Find your nearest household waste recycling centre or civic amenity (CA) site that accepts paint for disposal. These sites are responsible for ensuring the proper disposal of plastic paint cans and the recycling of metal paint cans. Some CA sites have partnered with local social enterprises to recycle paint, so it's worth checking if your local site offers this option.
Dispose of Paint Responsibly
Once your paint is hardened, take the cans to the designated disposal facility. Remember to pierce the dried paint to ensure it's fully hardened before transporting it. Many facilities have specific guidelines and restrictions, so it's essential to contact them beforehand to confirm their acceptance of your paint type and quantity.
Explore Alternative Options
Before disposing of usable paint, consider alternative options to maximise its use. You can offer it to family and friends or donate it to local projects or community initiatives. Some organisations, such as PaintCare, have reuse programs that collect and redistribute good quality leftover paint to the community at low or no cost.
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Recycling leftover paint
Leftover paint can be recycled, but it is important to dispose of it responsibly. Paint cannot be placed in household waste bins or poured down drains as it can cause damage and blockages. If you have paint leftover from a project, there are several ways to recycle or repurpose it.
First, check if the paint is still usable. If so, you can pass it on to friends or family, or donate it to a local community centre, church, or theatre group. Some local recycling centres also collect paint for reuse, such as the UK's Community RePaint. You can also check with your local council to see if they have a similar scheme.
If the paint is no longer usable, you will need to harden it before disposing of it. To do this, pour the paint onto scrap paper or cardboard and leave it to dry if you have a small amount left. For larger amounts, add dry soil, sand, or sawdust to the can and leave it to harden. You can then dispose of the dried paint with your general waste. Metal paint cans can be sent for recycling, while plastic paint cans should be taken to a local household waste recycling centre for responsible disposal.
Some recycling programs, such as Product Care in Canada, offer dedicated paint recycling services. They accept various types of leftover paint, including latex and oil-based paint, primers, coatings, and aerosols, as well as empty paint cans. These programs may have specific requirements for drop-off, such as ensuring that paint cans are not leaking and have their original labels.
Remember to handle paint as a special waste substance and reduce landfill waste whenever possible. Always check with your local waste management guidelines and recycling centres for specific instructions and restrictions on paint disposal.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can dispose of paint at a local recycling centre. However, liquid paint is banned from landfill sites, so you must harden the paint before disposing of it.
To harden paint, you can use a paint hardener or add sawdust, sand, or soil to the tin. Leave the lid off until the paint becomes solid and dry.
Plastic paint cans cannot be widely recycled, but they are accepted at local household waste recycling centres for responsible disposal. Metal paint cans are sent for recycling. Solvent-based paint, paint thinner, and white spirit should be disposed of as hazardous waste at a civic amenity site.
The amount of paint accepted varies by location. PaintCare sites, for example, accept up to 5 gallons per visit, while some take more. It is recommended to call ahead to confirm.
