Elena Rossi
Paint is the most common household product that becomes household hazardous waste. Paint contains harmful substances that can be dangerous to both our health and the environment if not used, stored, or disposed of properly. In Pennsylvania, there are specific guidelines for disposing of paint cans and their contents. The disposal method may depend on the type and amount of paint, as well as local regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best way to dispose of paint | Use it |
| Alternative disposal methods | Give it to someone who can use it, e.g. theatre groups, church groups, shelters, community organizations, or Habitat for Humanity ReStore |
| Storing paint | Ensure tight lids and label the top of each can with the color and date purchased |
| Don't | Pour paint down household drains or throw liquid paint in the trash |
| Solidifying paint | Wear gloves, avoid smoking, and keep the area ventilated. Use a sturdy cardboard box, fill it with clay-based kitty litter, pour the paint onto the litter, and let it dry |
| Disposing of solidified paint | Put it out for trash disposal |
| Disposing of empty paint cans | Recycle with metal cans |
| Disposing of large quantities of latex paint | Dump into an old bucket or trash bag-lined cardboard box, add absorbent material, stir, and wait until dry before disposing of in the trash |
| Commercial paint recycling | Available from April 1st to November 30th each year; REPAINTUSA offers a pickup service for a fee |
| Disposing of oil-based paint | Dry it and dispose of it in your regular trash; Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority holds a Household Hazardous Waste Collection each spring where they accept oil-based paint |
| Disposing of water-based (latex) paint | Dry it and dispose of it in your regular trash; the Authority's Transfer Station accepts up to 5 gallons of latex paint per person per day for a minimum charge of $25 |
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What You'll Learn
Solidifying latex paint
In Pennsylvania, latex paint is not considered hazardous waste and is therefore not accepted at household hazardous waste (HHW) events. However, there are several ways to properly dispose of latex paint. Here are some methods to solidify latex paint for disposal:
Slow Method for Small Amounts of Paint
Take the paint cans outside or to a well-ventilated area and leave the lids off. Let the cans sit until the paint is fully dry and hard. This process can take weeks or even months, depending on the amount of paint in the cans. Be sure to follow the same safety precautions as you would for painting, such as wearing gloves, avoiding smoking, and maintaining proper ventilation.
Faster Method for Larger Quantities of Paint
For larger amounts of latex paint, you can speed up the solidification process by using an absorbent material. Dump the paint into an old bucket or a trash bag-lined cardboard box. Add an absorbent substance such as kitty litter, sand, sawdust, or paint hardener, which can be purchased at paint and home improvement stores. Stir the mixture well, adding the absorbent material first to ease the mixing process. To ensure the latex paint is completely dry, plunge a screwdriver or similar tool into the paint. If it does not penetrate, the paint is dry and ready for disposal.
Alternative Uses for Leftover Latex Paint
Instead of disposing of latex paint, consider reusing it for second coats, touch-ups, or painting fences, birdhouses, basements, or sheds. You can also mix latex paints to create new colours, such as beige and gray, for various projects. If you don't need the paint yourself, you can give it to a friend, neighbour, or small business owner, or donate it to community groups, schools, local theatre groups, recreation departments, or sign painters.
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Disposing of oil-based paint
Oil-based paints are considered hazardous household waste in Pennsylvania. If you have a small amount of oil-based paint left, simply remove the lid when you are outside or in a well-ventilated area and let it dry. Then, you can put the can out for trash disposal. If the can is empty, it can be recycled with metal cans.
If you have a larger volume of oil-based paint, you can follow these steps to dry it out: get a sturdy cardboard box and fill it with clay-based kitty litter, pour the paint onto the kitty litter, and let it dry. Then, dispose of this dried mixture with your regular trash. You can also purchase a paint solidifier from local hardware and paint stores.
It is important to remember that oil-based paint should not be poured down household drains or thrown into the trash in liquid form. Many of the chemicals in paint will not be treated by sewage or septic systems, and there is always the possibility that the paint will be released from the can.
If you are overwhelmed with oil-based paint, the Recycling and Refuse Authority in Pennsylvania holds a Household Hazardous Waste Collection each spring where they accept oil-based paint.
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Giving away unwanted paint
If you have unwanted paint that is still usable, consider giving it away to someone who can use it. Theatre groups, church groups, shelters for people in need, and community organisations may be interested in taking it off your hands. Habitat for Humanity ReStore, for example, accepts latex paint.
There are also reuse programs that provide good-quality leftover paint at low or no cost to the public. These programs are a sustainable and efficient way to manage leftover paint and provide a beneficial resource to the community. You can find a PaintCare drop-off site near you that accepts leftover paint from the public. All PaintCare sites accept up to 5 gallons per visit, although some take more.
If you are simply overwhelmed with latex paint, you can take it to the Authority's Transfer Station, which accepts up to 5 gallons of latex paint per person per day for a $25 minimum charge.
Please note that when storing paint, it is important to keep the lids on tight and to label the top of each can with the colour name and date purchased. Do not pour paint down household drains or throw liquid paint in the trash, as it can be harmful to the environment and human health if not disposed of properly.
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Storing paint safely
Firstly, determine where the leftover paint should be kept safely. Sort the various types, including stains, primers, sealers, and spray paint cans. You can then organize them by room or finish. This will help you understand how much space you need for paint storage and how many bins you may require. If there are no pre-existing shelves in the area, consider assembling a metal shelving unit with caster wheels and shelf liners. Typical-sized paint cans can be lined up on the shelves, while smaller cans can be kept in open-top or open-front bins.
Next, ensure you store the paint in a cool, dry location with little to zero sunlight. The ideal temperature range for storing paint is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (or 15-27 Celsius). A basement is a good option, provided it has the same airflow and temperature as the rest of the house. You can place the paint cans on a shelf, or on the floor with a spare cloth beneath each can. A utility closet is another good option, as it is protected from sunlight and has the right temperatures.
Additionally, always ensure the paint is out of the reach of children and away from any play areas. It should also be stored away from food and drink. Before storing, wipe the paint can clean of any excess paint and cover the lid space with plastic cling wrap before sealing the lid tightly. A rubber mallet is best for sealing paint cans, as metal hammers can cause damage to the can.
Finally, keep documentation of the paint you've used. Whether it's in a binder, file, or digital format, list each room and its paint details so you can refer back to it. This is especially useful if you sell your home and the buyers like the colors you've used.
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Hazardous waste collection events
Paint is the most common household product that becomes household hazardous waste. Paint contains harmful substances that can be dangerous to our health and the environment if not used, stored, or disposed of properly. If you have leftover paint, the best way to dispose of it is to use it up. If you can't use it, try giving it to someone who can, such as theatre groups, church groups, shelters, or community organizations.
If you have oil-based paint, you can dispose of it in your regular trash once it's dry. However, do not throw liquid paint in the trash as it may be released from the can. Instead, you can solidify it first and then dispose of it. To do this, pour the paint into a sturdy cardboard box filled with clay-based kitty litter and let it dry. Then, dispose of the dried mixture with your trash. Alternatively, you can leave the lid off the paint can and let it dry outdoors in a well-ventilated area. This process can take weeks or even months, depending on the amount of paint.
Centre County holds a Household Hazardous Waste Collection each spring, where you can dispose of oil-based paint. For large quantities of latex paint, commercial businesses can contact REPAINTUSA for a pickup service. Additionally, the Authority's Transfer Station accepts up to 5 gallons of latex paint per person per day for a minimum charge of $25.00.
When storing paint, ensure the lids are tight and secure. Label the top of each can with the color name and purchase date. Do not pour paint down household drains as the chemicals may not be treated by sewage or septic systems.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have a small amount of latex paint left in the can, simply remove the lid and let it dry outdoors with good ventilation. Once the paint is dry, you can dispose of the can with your regular trash. If you have a larger quantity of latex paint, you can add an absorbent material like clay-based kitty litter to a sturdy cardboard box, pour the paint onto it, and let it dry before disposing of it with your trash.
Oil-based paint should be solidified before disposal. You can do this by pouring the paint into a sturdy cardboard box filled with an absorbent material like clay-based kitty litter and letting it dry. Once the paint is dry, you can dispose of it with your regular trash. The Recycling and Refuse Authority's Transfer Station in Pennsylvania accepts up to 5 gallons of oil-based paint per person per day for a minimum charge of $25. They also hold a Household Hazardous Waste Collection each spring where they accept oil-based paint.
Yes, empty paint cans may be recycled with metal cans.
