Lena Rivera
If you're a resident of Bergen County, New Jersey, and need to dispose of paint, you must first determine whether the paint is water-based (latex) or oil-based. Water-based paints can be air-dried and then thrown out with the rest of your garbage. The cans can be recycled if there is no dried paint residue. However, oil-based paints are considered hazardous household waste and must be disposed of at a Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event. These events are held at various locations, including Moonachie, Paramus, and Mahwah, and are free of charge for Bergen County residents with valid ID.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Disposal of latex paint | Remove lid, air dry, peel dried paint, toss with household garbage, bring empty can to Recycling Center on West Main Street |
| Disposal of oil-based paint and varnish | Bring to Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) Hazardous Waste Collection |
| Disposal of paint cans with dried paint residue | Place in garbage |
| Disposal of paint cans with wet paint | Solidify with kitty litter or commercially available paint hardener, then put in garbage |
| Who can use the service | Bergen County residents |
| Cost | Free |
| Requirements | Valid ID |
| Collection sites | Moonachie, Paramus, Mahwah |
| Collection times | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
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What You'll Learn
Disposing of latex paint
Check the paint's condition:
Before disposing of latex paint, it's essential to check its condition. If the paint has a rancid smell or has separated with a thin skin on top and a layer of liquid underneath, it needs to be disposed of.
Solidify the paint:
If you have a small amount of paint left in the can, simply remove the lid and let it air dry. This process can take several days. For larger amounts of paint, you can speed up the process by adding equal parts cat litter to the paint and stirring until it thickens and won't spill.
Dispose of the dried paint:
Once the latex paint has dried, you can dispose of it with your regular trash. Peel the dried paint skin from the can and toss it in with your household garbage. Make sure to also recycle the empty metal paint can at a designated recycling center.
Alternative options:
If you have usable latex paint, consider donating it to a local theater group, development corporation, homestead, or neighborhood improvement project. Additionally, you can get creative and use up any leftover paint by painting items like birdhouses, garage walls, or outdoor furniture.
Hazardous waste disposal:
It's important to note that oil-based paints and varnish are considered hazardous waste. In Bergen County, NJ, residents can dispose of hazardous household waste through the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program. Collection events are held in Moonachie, Paramus, and Mahwah, providing a safe and proper disposal method for hazardous waste.
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Disposing of oil-based paint
Oil-based paints are considered hazardous household waste products in Bergen County, New Jersey. As such, they must be disposed of at the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event. These events are held in Moonachie, Paramus, and Mahwah, and there are special dates and collection sites set up for Bergen County residents free of charge.
When attending a disposal event, residents must stay in their vehicles at all times. Materials should be easily accessible to staff in the trunk, cargo area, or truck bed. It is important to note that the BCUA-sponsored recycling events cannot return any items once they have been removed from the vehicle, so residents should plan accordingly.
If you need to dispose of oil-based paint before the next collection event, you can click here [link not provided] for alternate disposal options.
It is not environmentally sound to place oil-based paints in your trash can. Using them up completely is the preferred alternative to disposal.
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Hazardous waste collection events
The Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) operates a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Management and Disposal Program, which accepts items such as paints, automotive products, pesticides, aerosols, and flammable materials. Oil-based, solvent-based, and varnish paints fall under this category and must be disposed of at these events or the BCUA Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event. Water-based and latex paints can be disposed of with regular garbage or recycling if they are dried or solidified first.
The BCUA will not return any items once they are removed from the vehicle, including gasoline and motor oil containers. Collection sites open at 9 a.m. and close at 3 p.m. sharp. Businesses must pre-register and will be charged a disposal fee.
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What to bring to collection events
If you are planning to attend a Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event, it is important to know what to bring to properly dispose of your household hazardous waste. Here is a detailed and instructive list of what you can bring to the collection events:
Paint
Oil-based, solvent-based, and latex paints are accepted at the collection events. If you have oil-based or solvent-based paint, you must bring it to the event for disposal. For latex (water-based) paint, you can let it air dry, peel off the dried paint, and toss it with your household garbage. However, if you have any leftover wet latex paint, you should bring it to the event. Remember to remove the lids from the paint cans before disposal.
Automotive Products
Automotive products such as motor oil, oil filters, gasoline, and antifreeze can be brought to the collection events for proper disposal. Please ensure that these items are easily accessible for the staff, who will remove them from your vehicle.
Household Chemicals
Common household chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers, cleaners, and fluorescent light bulbs are accepted at the collection events. These items should not be disposed of in your regular trash as they may contain hazardous materials.
Aerosols and Solvents
Aerosol cans and solvents are also considered hazardous waste and can be brought to the disposal events. This includes items like varnish, thinners, and corrosives. Remember that it is essential to handle and transport these materials with care.
It is important to note that these events are for Bergen County residents only, and you may be required to show valid identification. Additionally, businesses must pre-register and will be charged a disposal fee. By participating in these collection events, you are ensuring that hazardous waste is disposed of properly and reducing potential risks to the environment and your community.
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The BCUA Recycling Center
The BCUA defines HHW as any municipal solid waste generated by a private residence that is either listed as hazardous waste or exhibits hazardous characteristics, such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. This includes oil-based paints, varnishes, and other solvents, which should not be placed in your regular trash can.
To dispose of oil-based or solvent-based paints through the BCUA, residents must bring their materials to a Hazardous Waste Collection Event. These events are held at various locations in Bergen County, including Moonachie, Paramus, and Mahwah, and residents can attend free of charge with a valid ID. It's important to note that residents must remain in their vehicles at all times during these events, and staff members will remove the hazardous waste from the trunk, cargo area, or truck bed.
For water-based or latex paints, the disposal process is a bit different. If the paint can is empty and free of dried paint residue, it can be recycled. If there is dried paint residue in the can, it should be placed in the garbage. If there is still wet paint in the can, it needs to be solidified with kitty litter or a paint hardener before disposal.
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Frequently asked questions
If the paint is latex or water-based, remove the lid and let it air dry. Once the paint is dry, peel the dried paint from the can and throw it in the garbage. Then, bring the empty metal paint can to the Recycling Center on West Main Street.
Oil-based paints are considered hazardous household waste products and must be disposed of at the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event. These events are free of charge for Bergen County residents and require a valid ID.
Hazardous household waste (HHW) is defined as any municipal solid waste that exhibits hazardous characteristics such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. Examples include paints, automotive products, pesticides, aerosols, and flammable materials.
