Painting is a great DIY project for any homeowner, but once you’re finished you need to make sure you dispose of any extra paint the right way. Paint contains chemicals that can be hazardous to sanitation workers. Hazardous chemicals can also leech into the ground and harm animal life. Here is the information you should know about safe ways to get rid of leftover paint.
You don’t have to throw away your extra paint. If you think you might need it for future touch-ups, save it for later. If you seal the can up tightly, latex paint should last up to 10 years! Save the paint in its original can. Place plastic wrap over the can opening, and then hammer the lid over the plastic wrap. Use permanent marker to label the lid with the date and the room you used it for. Store the can in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. If you open it up later and find that it’s hard, lumpy, or foul smelling, you’ll need to dispose of it.
One safe way to dispose of the paint you don’t want is to try to donate it. Check with local schools who may need paint for theatre productions or art projects. Offer it to friends or neighbors. Contact Habitat Humanity, because they do accept latex paints.
If you have just a little bit left that isn’t worth saving or donating, or has gone bad, you will need to dry it out before you throw it in the trash. I like to pour it into a disposable paint tray and let it dry out. At this point, it will peel right out of the tray and you can save the tray for another use. You can also purchase a paint hardener from Amazon. Pour it into the remaining paint and let it do its work. Once the paint is hard, toss the paint in the trash {In most locations this is allowable by law–if you’re not sure, check your local laws first}.
If you’re more comfortable with recycling, contact your local home improvement store. Many of them accept leftover paint for recycling.
Leave a Reply