Top 10 Safety Tips on How to Get Rid of Old Paint

Got an old painting project that you haven’t done in a while? Maybe some old cans stored up in the garage that you haven’t used yet? What about if you’re involved in the manufacturing industry? Paint is certainly useful, but unused wasteful paint can actually be really harmful. Worse still, disposing of paint can get . . . complicated. So if you have some extra cans lying around, here’s some advice on how to get rid of old paint.

For this and other great waste removal tips, rely on KenBay to have the info you need. We commit ourselves to a zero-waste initiative, and encourage other companies to follow suit. visit KenBay’s website today and learn about our wide assortment of compactors available. 

How to Get Rid of Old Paint (And Other Safety Tips)

1. Check what kind of paint it is

   There’s basically two kinds of paint we’re concerned about: oil and latex. Latex is water based and very safe to store. Most of the paint you encounter for home use is latex based. Oil paint is highly toxic and flammable and should be handled with care. For these tips, we’ll be separating them into oil and latex categories.

2. Oil: Do NOT throw away in the trash

   This is important with latex paint as well, but even more so for oil-based: do not just throw it away in the garbage! Oil paint could ignite easily and deal some serious fire damage to whoever is handling it.

3. Oil: Do not store  for too long!

   Equally as important: while you can store latex paint for a long time, oil paint will eventually reach an expiration limit. Once that occurs, it can emit dangerous toxic fumes.

4. Oil: Take to a proper facility which handles HHW.

   Oil paint is classified as a HHW, which stands for Household Hazardous Waste. There are facilities specially handled to dispose of these kinds of materials. Find one in your local area to take your oil-based paint to.

5. Check your drop off-time

   While you’re searching for an HHW disposal facility, make sure you check if there are any special regulated drop off or pickup times.

6. Latex: When Possible, Recycle Your Old Paint

   Latex paint can be stored for a long time, but don’t let it go to waste on your shelf! It is possible to recycle old paint at special facilities. Find one in your local area! Or repurpose leftover paint for some other project. Perhaps there are some small toys in need a color touch up?

7. Latex: Donate to someone else in need.

   If you can’t (or don’t want to) recycle your paint, see if someone else can use it!

8. Latex: If possible, move into a smaller jar or can.

   If space is your main concern, it is perfectly fine to move your excess paint into a smaller mason jar or old soup can. Make sure you cover the lid completely with something like saran wrap so that it doesn’t dry.

9. Latex: Turn into a Dry Solid First

   If you simply must dispose of your latex paint, don’t make a mess by pouring it into the trash. Instead, harden the paint first. Let it sit outside with the lid open and the sun will take care of the rest. After the paint is hardened, it is perfectly safe to throw out, along with the old can.

10. Latex: Mix with Newspaper or Cat Litter to Speed Dry

    For the impatient among us, simply mix the old paint with shredded newspaper, sawdust, or cat litter. The material causes the paint to dry faster, and you will be able to dispose of it quicker.

We hope you found these tips on how to get rid of old paint useful! For non-paint related waste, trust KenBay to have the compactors you need. Our RotoPac can handle any major waste challenge with ease. If you want to experience one for yourself, you can try it before you buy it.