WHO KNEW That the First Step in Recycling Paint From a House Project Is to Think About the Type and Amount of Paint You Buy in the First Place?
In the next few weeks I’m going to paint my mudroom. My choice of paint will be water-based (labeled acrylic, latex or water based) for both the walls and woodwork. I will buy as small an amount as I think I might need, because, invariably, old cans of paint seldom get used. The paint often becomes too dry and cracked or contaminated with rust from the can. Even dropping a circle of plastic wrap on the top of the paint before you close the lid doesn’t always work to keep it from drying out.
Unfinished cans of water-based paints are easy to dispose of. Place the can in a safe place and leave the lid off. If there isn’t much left in the can, it will dry quickly and can be thrown out with your household trash. If there’s about ¼ of the paint left, you can add a drying agent, such as kitty litter, ripped cardboard or sawdust, stir and let dry. When there is more than about ¼ of the paint left in the can you just give it more time to dry, stirring occasionally, or you might pour some of the paint into a box, layer in a drying agent and repeat as each layer dries. When dried, toss it into the trash.
Oil-based paints (labeled gel, enamel or oil-based) considered Hazardous Waste are more difficult to recycle. Air drying liquid, solvent-based paint isn’t recommended; you don’t want to be breathing the fumes. Rather than going into your trashcan, oil-based cans of paint should be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste collection site. However, if you find the paint has completely dried, you can just throw it out.
For more ideas about disposing of paint in NH: https://www.des.nh.gov/blog/pollution-prevention-tips-paint
For more ideas about disposing of paint in VT and ME: