GUIDE TO THE REUSE & DISPOSAL OF LATEX PAINT

REUSING PAINT

Leftover paint is usable if:

• It has not been repeatedly frozen and thawed;
• It fills at least one-third of its container;
• It is in its original can with label intact;
• It mixes when stirred;
• Lumps are not present when painted on newspaper.

DISPOSAL OF UNUSABLE PAINT

• Paint containers less than ¼ full : Crack open lids and allow moisture to evaporate and excess paint to harden. The hardened material can be discarded with your regular trash. Remove lids so refuse haulers can see the paint is hardened.
• Paint containers at least ¼ full: Use up by painting on newspaper, cardboard, wood or carpet. When painted material is dry, dispose in trash.
• For large amounts of paint : Pour 1” of paint into a plastic-lined box. Let each layer dry, then repeat. Latex paint can also be combined with an absorbent such as clay-based kitty litter or vermiculite in a plastic-lined box. When material is dry, place material in a trash bag, seal and discard in trash.
• Do not pour liquid paint down the drain, on the ground or put it in the trash. Improper disposal may contaminate ground and surface water supplies. Paints manufactured prior to 1960 may contain high levels of lead. Other paint-related products, including wood preservatives and roofing tars, should not be disposed of in trash.

Caution: The above reference guidelines are not applicable for oil-based paint.