Dispose unused paints the right way!
Dispose unused paints the right way!
Throwing paint in the garbage is nasty! If it is oil paint it is down right criminal! It may be easy, especially if the paint can is almost empty or dried, but don’t do it! A lot of states allow water-based latex paint to be thrown away in the trash once solidified, but I just can't bring myself to do it.
This years paint being properly disposed of.
Taking your paint to a hazard waste facility is the best way to keep the environment clean. This method also has an added benefit of providing good paying jobs. Lastly visiting a hazardous waste facility allows one to properly dispose of other chemicals you may have laying around the studio or house.
I have a place in my studio where I keep empty or unused paint in a protective cabinet clearly marked. Even though it is latex paint and not particularly dangerous it makes me feel better knowing it is as safe as possible. Once a year in the spring I make an appointment with my county hazardous waste facility and load up my truck.
Here are some places you can look for your paint disposing needs:
https://earth911.com/recycling/