Elena Rossi
If you're looking to dispose of paint cans in Boise, Idaho, it's important to know the proper protocol to keep yourself, your community, and the environment safe. Improper disposal of hazardous waste can create a variety of problems for the environment and put sanitation workers at risk. Boise collects around 1.4 million pounds of hazardous waste per year, and the city offers multiple times and locations for residents to safely dispose of common hazardous items. So, how do you know if your paint cans are considered hazardous waste?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paint type | Water-based latex paint, oil-based paint |
| Disposal method | Water-based latex paint: dry it out and put it in the trash Oil-based paint: dispose of at a hazardous waste collection site |
| Hazardous waste collection sites | Ada County Landfill, 15 mobile collection sites |
| Accepted hazardous waste | Solvents, paint/stain/varnish, yard/garden products (including pesticides and herbicides), batteries, automotive products (including gasoline and oil), compact fluorescent light tubes, TVs, computer monitors, ammunition, tires, prescription drugs, dental office waste, cell phones, e-waste |
| Not accepted hazardous waste | Explosives, radioactive waste, biomedical waste, tires |
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What You'll Learn
Water-based latex paint disposal
Water-based latex paint is not considered a Hazardous Household Waste in Boise, Idaho. This means that it can be disposed of with your regular trash, but it must be in a solid form first. To do this, leave the lid off the paint can and allow the paint to dry out completely. Be sure to keep open paint cans out of reach of children and pets. If there is only a small amount of paint left in the can, leave the lid off in a well-ventilated area until it solidifies. You can also add kitty litter, shredded newspaper, or waste paint hardener to partially full cans of paint to make it dry faster.
If you have multiple cans of water-based latex paint, it is best not to leave them all to dry out at the same time, as this can create harmful fumes. Once the paint is dry, you can dispose of the can with your regular trash.
Alternatively, you can recycle empty metal paint cans at most household waste recycling centers in Boise. Boise's recycling program is very sophisticated and offers many options for residents looking to recycle their old paint cans. Western Recycling and Republic Trash and Recycle Services are two options to consider for your recycling needs throughout Idaho.
If you are unsure about how to properly dispose of your water-based latex paint, you can contact the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality at 208-373-0502 or the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility at 208-577-4736 for more information.
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Oil-based paint disposal
Oil-based paints are considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) in Boise, Idaho, and should not be poured down drains or put out with the trash. Improper disposal of hazardous waste can harm the environment and endanger sanitation workers.
The City of Boise has set up 15 free mobile collection sites for residents to dispose of hazardous waste, including oil-based paints. These sites are conveniently located throughout the city, and residents can go online to find the nearest location. Additionally, there is a permanent facility at the
It is important to note that businesses are charged disposal costs for hazardous waste, and there are certain types of waste that are not accepted at the facility, including explosive, radioactive, and biomedical wastes, and tires. Residents with unwanted ammunition can contact Impact Guns for disposal with the manager's approval.
Before disposing of oil-based paint, it is recommended to store the product in its original container with the label intact and keep it out of reach of children and pets, away from heat, and away from the house if possible.
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Hazardous waste collection sites
The City of Boise collects around 1.4 million pounds of hazardous waste per year, or about 52 pounds per household. The city offers multiple locations and timings for its residents to safely dispose of common hazardous items. The city has set up 15 mobile collection sites that are free and convenient for residents. These mobile collection sites accept hazardous waste such as:
- Lead-acid batteries
- E-cigarettes and vape pens
- Other battery types (e.g. zinc-carbon, silver oxide, mercury "button")
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Paint thinners
- Oils
- Caustic cleaners
- Acids
- Toilet bowl cleaners
- Antifreeze
- Pesticides
- Used motor oil
- Car batteries
- Fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs
- TVs
- Computer monitors
- Cell phones
- Printers
- Fax machines
- Scanners
- Dental office wastes such as x-ray fixer solution and lead foils
- Unused dental amalgam
The Ada County Household Hazardous Waste Facility is another option for residents to dispose of hazardous waste. It is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed from Sunday to Thursday and on Ada County Landfill observed holidays.
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Disposing of paint thinners
Paint thinners are considered hazardous substances and should be disposed of properly to protect yourself and the environment. Improper disposal of paint thinners can cause a variety of problems for the environment and endanger sanitation workers.
Firstly, it is important to note that you should never pour paint thinner down the drain as it can contaminate groundwater. Similarly, do not throw paint thinner containers into a regular trash bin as they are highly flammable and can cause a fire.
If you have rags soaked in paint thinner, place them in a sealed, watertight metal container with water and bring them to a hazardous waste collection site. Alternatively, let the rags dry flat in a well-ventilated area and then seal them in a fireproof container before disposal.
To dispose of liquid paint thinner, pour it into a glass or metal container and seal it tightly. Allow any remaining paint to settle at the bottom. You can then reuse the clear solvent for future projects. Find your nearest hazardous waste collection facility and dispose of the container there. Many municipalities have permanent sites available for the drop-off of hazardous materials.
If you have a small amount of paint thinner left, consider giving it to someone who could use it. For completely empty paint thinner containers, ensure they are completely dry with less than an inch of paint residue before disposing of them with your regular trash.
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Reusing and recycling paint
Paint contains many components with great potential for reuse, recycling, and recovery. Latex paint is collected at facilities in many countries and shipped to paint-recycling facilities. The PaintCare program, for instance, is responsible for promoting the reuse of post-consumer architectural paint and providing for the collection, transport, and processing of this paint using the hierarchy of "reduce, reuse, recycle," and proper disposal. Most PaintCare locations are at paint retailers who volunteer to take back paint.
In the UK, reusable leftover paint can be donated to Community RePaint, a national network of paint reuse schemes. The network comprises local schemes run by not-for-profit organizations, local authorities, or waste management companies, in the Community RePaint network. Similarly, in Ontario, Canada, the Orange Drop Program is an extensive and growing network of collection sites—drop-off locations for paint leftovers and other special materials that can't be recycled or thrown in the garbage.
In Alberta, Canada, the Paint Recycling Alberta program enables leftover paint to be handled and recycled in an environmentally safe manner, reducing its environmental impact. The program is funded through environmental fees charged on the sale of new paint in Alberta. The paint is sorted into different streams and sent to registered processors to be recycled into new paint, used in other products or in energy recovery, or sent for proper disposal if necessary.
Some other ways to reuse and recycle paint include making it available through reuse programs that provide good-quality leftover paint at low or no cost back to the public. Additionally, recycling one gallon of paint saves 100 kilowatt-hours of energy and keeps 115 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air. Non-reusable paint can also be made into a product used in cement manufacturing, thereby recycling virtually 100% of the original paint.
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Frequently asked questions
Water-based latex paints and oil-based paints.
Water-based latex paints are not considered Hazardous Household Waste and can be dried up and thrown away with the trash.
Oil-based paints are considered Household Hazardous Waste and should not be poured down drains or put out with the trash. You can dispose of them at the Ada County Landfill Hazardous Material Collection Facility or at one of the 15 free mobile collection sites set up by the city.
Other examples of Household Hazardous Waste include solvents, paint thinners, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, automotive products (including gasoline and oil), light tubes, TVs, and computer monitors.
