Pennsylvania Resources Council: HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF LATEX PAINT AT HOME Administrator posted on May 8, 2020 Finding an oversupply of unused latex paint in your basement or garage during spring cleaning? The PRC’s Collection Events Manager, Sarah Alessia Shea, explains, “It is crucial to properly dispose of any paint, including latex and oil-based, as paint may harm groundwater.” “Therefore, you should never dispose of liquid paint in the garbage.
And if the paint is workable, feel free to give it to a friend, neighbor, or family member.” If you need to dispose of latex paint, the PRC provides a simple procedure for preparation at home that allows you to dispose of latex paint legally and safely in your ordinary trash, without having to purchase any supplies or drive to a household chemical collection event.
The solidified form of latex (water-based) paint is not a hazardous waste, therefore follow these steps to dispose of latex paint with your household trash: Divide the paint into small portions, no more than one-third of the can’s capacity; Mix cat litter, sand, or newspaper shreds well with liquid latex paint; Remove the lid and leave the paint aside to dry thoroughly; Put the dry paint in the garbage.
This approach is suitable for latex paint quantities of one-third of a can or less. Options for properly discarding larger quantities of latex paint include utilizing waste paint hardener packets, which are available at home improvement stores, or bringing the paint to a collection event for household chemicals “added Shea.
Please remember that oil-based paint, stains, and varnishes are always dangerous and must be brought to a collection event. Visit or contact 412-488-7452 for information on PRC’s 2020 calendar of home chemical collection events, which take paint products, insecticides, automotive fluids, and a broad variety of other goods for a charge.
Where can I dispose of old paint in my community?
Residents and companies in California may now recycle unused paint for free at local retailers. For program information and locations, please visit www.PaintCare.org or call 855-724-6809. Additionally, you may get rid of unwanted oil and latex paint by doing the following: Household hazardous waste can be dropped off at a mobile collection event. Deliver to a fixed location.
Latex paint can be allowed to dry and then discarded. You may purchase paint hardeners from paint and home improvement stores, or you can combine the paint with kitty litter or sawdust. Leave the lid open to expedite the drying process and allow the garbage collector to verify that the paint is no longer liquid.
What can I do with the remaining water-based paint?
Latex Paint – Latex or water-based paint in solid form is not considered a hazardous waste. It is washable with soap and water. If latex paint has completely cured, it may be discarded.
Latex Paint – Latex paint is a water-based paint that may be used for both indoor and outdoor projects. Latex paint has less pollutants than oil-based paint due to its high water content, but it is far more prone to freezing. Latex paint may last between 2 and 10 years if stored properly.
- If you live in a cold region, you should avoid storing latex paint in a non-climate-controlled garage or storage room, since repeated freeze/thaw cycles can cause the paint to become lumpy.
- Minor lumps can be removed using a paint stick, but if the problem is serious, you will likely not be able to paint your walls evenly.
In this situation, it is necessary to discard the latex paint and purchase a new can.