How to Reuse, Recycle or Dispose of Old Paint.
What do you do when you have completed painting and now all you’re left with is extra paint that you don’t want? This article is all about being environmentally responsible and friendly! We’ll give you tips on how to reuse, recycle or dispose of your old paint.
To understand proper disposal methods, it’s important to understand the paint and their potential impacts on the environment. Paint is a mixture of four basic ingredients: pigments, resins, solvents, and additives. It’s the type of solvent used in the paint that determines how you dispose of it.
At the end of the day, all paints fall under two solvent categories: mineral-spirit-based solvent, or water-based solvent.
TIP: A way to decrease any leftover paint is to minimize the amount you buy from the beginning. This is one of the reasons why Pastel Colours offer a free quote (contact us) on site, so that we can help you work out how much to buy.
Have extra paint left from that wall paint you used to cover the living room? Well, then roll on an extra coat, even though it doesn’t need one, to finish it. Or use up your leftover paint to coat the inside of a garage, storage room, at-home office or domestic helper’s room like I do! The safest, most efficient way to handle leftover paint is to use it up.
Reuse or Recycling of Latex or Oil-Based Paint
Add all partial cans of the same brand, sheen, colour and solvent type into as few cans as possible. Now you can dispose of the empty ones.
The easiest way to reuse or recycle good unwanted paint is to give it to an organisation that can use it.
For example, donate your unwanted paint to places like this:
- A creche, school, college or universities’ arts department
- Go paint one of the above in the closest underprivileged area to you
- A local charity or community group
- Your church
If you can’t give your leftover paint away, then please read on.
Paint Disposal
Try not to throw liquid paint away in the trash, as it is a hazardous item and it’s messy.
To dispose of liquid paint, you have to make it a solid.
Pour the unused paint into a container of absorbent material, such as cat litter or sawdust. This works best if you pour some of the absorbent material in the bottom of the container and then slowly pour the paint in while stirring to mix the paint and the absorbent.
Let it dry outside, if possible, or in a ventilated area.
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Once completely dried, you can dispose of the dried paint in your bin.
Disposal of Paint Cans
Completely dry paint cans can be thrown away in the trash or your community’s recycling program – if you have one.
Before throwing away, wipe the paint can clean with paper towels until you can see the metal bottom of the can. Make sure to take the lid off the can before disposing of it. A small amount of dried paint residue is not a problem.
Disposal of Aerosol Cans
For aerosol paint cans that still contain paint, you should follow the instructions on the product’s label.
An aerosol can must be empty to place it in the rubbish or to recycle it. Never puncture, crush or incinerate the aerosol paint can.
Reusing Solvents
If possible, solvents such as paint thinner; mineral spirits; and turpentine should be reused and not thrown away.
Place the used solvent in a tightly sealed container until you need it again.
Please consider subscribing to our blog’s mailing list for monthly painting tips delivered directly to your mailbox!
We hope you got some useful and environmentally friendly advice from this article.
The Pastel Team.
Please note that some information was sourced off the internet for this article.
