It is old interior acrylic paint, some cans are half full and have started to separate turning oily. A few are nearly empty. What is best way to discard these? I want to do what is best for the environment. Do I call someone? Just trash them? Let them dry out first?
2007-06-14 13:40:58 · 13 answers · asked by DB 5 in Environment ➔ Green Living
When it's time to get rid of that old can of paint, it's important to know that you can't simply just toss it into the trash. Paint is considered a household hazardous waste that can do severe damage to the environment if dumped in a landfill and allowed to seep into the ground. Even if you seal the can tightly, that's not a sufficient way of keeping the paint from getting into the soil and, quite possibly, sinking into the groundwater.
There are several smart choices you can make to rid yourself of the excess paint without damaging the environment or breaking city/state laws:
1) Old paint isn't necessarily bad paint. Consider looking around your home for something that needs a fresh coat, like a chair, lamp or table, and going ahead and using up the remaining paint in the can.
2) Consider donating your paint to a local non-profit agency or community group (Habitat for Humanity, church organizations, nursing homes) that may find a use for the paint in one of their projects.
3) If the above options aren't possible, check the amount of paint in the can. If the paint is completely dry-not just a hard skin covering wet paint-the paint can be thrown away. If there is a small amount left, leave the paint can open and allow it to air dry or put kitty litter in the can to dry the paint before throwing it in the trash.
**Do not dry up oil-based paint or paint containing lead. Contact your city/county Solid Waste or Public Works department.
4) Another option is to find something to paint, a piece of discarded wood, a broken chair, and then throw the wood or chair and the empty paint can in the trash.
5) Consider contacting local paint stores to see if they recycle certain paints or offer suggestions on how to dispose of paint in your area properly.
It's important to know that every city and county has its own rules and guidelines for the proper disposal of paints. The above options will, in most cases, be acceptable. Contact your city or county Solid Waste department or Public Works division for more information before discarding paint and paint cans in the trash. Some agencies offer pick-up of paint and recycling (latex paints only) options.
2007-06-14 18:25:07 · answer #1 · answered by Peace 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
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Get a really good primer like Zinzer. Just make sure you clean the garage door first and leave no soapy residue on it. Paint while the door is in the shade, so the paint doesn't dry too fast. Then paint over the primer with any color outdoor paint you like. Probably will need at least two coats. Primer will ensure the paint stays on longer. So don't skip that. But with a good primer, you won't have to sand, or remove the old paint, since you say it is in good condition.
2016-04-04 06:54:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends, if the paint is chipping and falling off then it's probably best to remove the old paint. If it isn't then you can paint over the old paint but only with the same type of paint the old paint is (ex: semi-gloss, latex, oil base,etc) You may want to sand it lightly so it comes out looking a bit nicer and use primer if going from a dark color to a light color. And yes make sure it is clean b4 painting. Hope this helped :)
2016-03-13 23:10:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with your local municipality. Where I live in southern Ontario if the can is nearly empty, we can take the lid off, let it dry and place it in our recycle bin. If the can is more full it can be taken to our local landfill for proper disposal. They even have days where you can go and check out what has been brought in by others and take home to use if you find something that will meet your needs. Whatever you do, do not just trash them !
2007-06-17 05:54:11 · answer #4 · answered by short shrimp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The waste/trash centers of most cities will take them.
Do NOT, as others have said, bury the paint. That is the worst thing you can do, as it will eventually leak into the ground.
2007-06-14 15:53:58 · answer #5 · answered by BooBolalaPOOP 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their are many recycling centers that now except used paint, oil, and household chemicals. No charge to you...
2007-06-14 13:52:10 · answer #6 · answered by Promised Attitude 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Paint something else I suppose. Paint your windows to lessen the greenhouse effect inside and thereby use less energy...two birds with one stone.
2007-06-14 15:12:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
in my municipality there are special collect days for these things in particular.
do not trash them, they are dangerous for the environment.
call your municipality. they are bound to have centers or at least some "dangerous household waste" collection date with the garbage company.
check before throwing them away.
2007-06-14 15:00:58 · answer #8 · answered by Delia 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you live near a farm store they might take it!
2007-06-15 13:46:41 · answer #9 · answered by Ivan S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put "old paint" out to pasture or send her to the glue factory. I`m sorry I couldn`t resist.
2007-06-14 14:36:13 · answer #10 · answered by kdh&J 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋