What To Do With Empty Paint Cans

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Terminate a big painting projection and now take empty paint cans? There are several options for how to dispose of them, depending on whether the paint inside was oil-based or latex. It's important to check your area's local recycling guidelines, as well as their chancy waste matter guidelines if you used oil-based pigment, to ensure you lot're following the right protocol.

i
Brand certain your paint can is completely empty. If your pigment tin withal has a small amount of paint in it, take off the chapeau and let the paint dry out naturally in a well-ventilated surface area.^[one] It'southward important that the can exist empty or completely dried out before you endeavour to dispose of it.^[2]
- The pigment should dry in 2-4 hours.
- Y'all can also purchase commercial paint hardeners from a store to help your paint dry out.^[iii]
- If the bottom of your paint can has dried latex paint in it, you tin notwithstanding dispose of it.
ii
Remove the lid to show that the tin can is completely empty or dried up. Whether you're recycling the can or throwing it in the trash, removing the lid is of import to evidence that the paint can isn't full of leftover paint. Have the lid off completely and identify it next to the pigment tin can.^[4]
- Taking the lid off of the paint tin can shows trash or recycling collectors that the pigment tin is prophylactic to dispose of.
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Recycle your can if at that place'south a recycling middle nigh y'all. Many cities have paint recycling companies that will reuse your empty latex paint cans, complimentary of charge. Get online to notice out your recycling options, whether through a specific paint recycling company or your local general recycling center.^[5]
- Your city or town'due south recycling website should tell you whether or not they accept empty paint cans.^[6]
- Many recycling centers practice have empty paint cans, group them with metals.
- It'southward likely that you tin place your empty paint can direct into your recycling bin, though some areas may ask that you bring it in to a recycling eye—visit your recycling center'southward website if you're non certain.
4
Place your paint tin in the trash if recycling isn't an pick. If your paint can is empty or has latex paint in information technology that'southward completely dried upwardly, it can be thrown away with your regular trash. Take it out on trash days or to your local waste management heart.^[7]
- Make sure the lid is off of the can, even though it's going in the trash.
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one
Ensure your paint tin is completely empty. Oil-based paint is considered hazardous, so it's especially important to use upwards any old paint earlier trying to dispose of the can. Take the chapeau off to double check, and proceed the lid off while disposing of the can.^[8]
- If your oil-based paint can isn't completely empty, consider using up the remainder of the paint by brushing it onto newspaper.
two
Look up your city or county'southward guidelines on oil-based pigment cans. Due to their hazardous nature, different areas may take different rules for how they want you lot to become rid of oil-based pigment cans. Go online to find out if your city classifies oil-based paint cans as hazardous or not, and where yous tin take the cans to get rid of them.^[9]
- Search "how to dispose of oil-based paint cans in my area" online to notice your local guidelines.
iii
Bring the paint can to a local Household Hazardous Waste Driblet-off site. Many areas have Household Chancy Waste product sites where yous can bring items that aren't safe to dispose of in your own abode. Find a drop-off location nearly you and bring your paint can in that location if it's accounted hazardous.^[10]
- Some areas might even take a Hazardous Household Waste pickup option, so bank check online to find out.
- Other hazardous items these sites have are things similar automotive products, thermometers, puddle chemicals, and electronics.
4
Put your pigment can in the trash if information technology can't be recycled. If your oil-based pigment can doesn't need to be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off site according to your city's regulations, information technology'southward safe to place it in your regular garbage. Brand sure it's definitely empty to prevent any hazards, and take it out on trash day.^[11]
- If you're not sure whether oil-based paint cans are considered chancy in your area, it's better to be cautious and assume that they are hazardous.
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Question

How can I dispose of paint cans?

Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in loftier-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safety certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.

Residential Painter

Expert Answer

The all-time fashion is to recycle them. Yous can take them to a hazardous recycling eye.
Question

What can I practice with the paint cans if there is some paint in them?

Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Possessor of Baldwin Custom Painting. With 2 decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-condom certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and woods refinishing.

Residential Painter

Expert Answer

You can check with your local paint store to run across if they take used paint. If in that location is a small amount of paint in the cans, let it dry out out or use some product to harden it. And then throw away the cans. But don't throw solvent-based paints into your garbage even when dry.
Question

Is information technology okay to pour the leftover paint into the drain?

Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Possessor of Baldwin Custom Painting. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and modest commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and pb-condom certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.

Residential Painter

Practiced Respond

Information technology is not right to pour it downwards the drain, into landscaping, or anywhere else where information technology can get into the water tabular array.

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Many paint tin can companies won't take oil-based pigment cans, only latex ones.
If your city doesn't accept empty paint cans, use your cans to dispose of other waste matter like ashes or cooking grease.
If you have leftover paint, think nearly altruistic it to a local charity, nonprofit, place of worship, or theater.