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Easy Tips for Paint Waste Disposal

For homeowners, paint waste disposal can be simple if you follow these easy tips:

1) Determine whether your paint is oil-based or latex

Containers of latex paint will be marked as latex or will have instructions to clean up with soap and water. Oil-based paints may be labeled combustible or have instructions to clean up with mineral spirits or other solvents.

2) Solidify latex paint

In many municipalities, latex paint waste disposal can be as easy as putting it in your trash, but it must be completely solid. Leaving the lid off and allowing it to dry is an option if there's only a small amount of paint in the can. Otherwise, use a latex paint solidifying agent that you can purchase at your local home center or paint store.

3) Take advantage of community disposal services

Solvent paint for disposal should only be handled by a hazardous waste disposal company. Many communities have household hazardous waste collection events in which you can drop off your solvent paint waste for disposal. Some have permanent facilities where you can drop off you solvent paint waste for disposal.

Clean Harbors performs innumerable household hazardous waste collection events throughout the United States and Canada and has partnered with many communities to ensure paint is disposed of correctly.

View all of our paint waste disposal services