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Not sure what to do with old paint cans clutteringup your basem*nt or garage?Follow this action plan to either condense or dispose of your surplus—and win back some valuable floor and shelf space in the bargain.
Determine if the paint is still good
Solvent-based paints have a 15-year shelf life. If you can stir it, it’sprobably okay to use (even if you have to remove the “skin” on the surface first). Latex has a shelf life of 10 years. If ithas been subject to freezing, it may not be usable. Test bystirring and brushing onto newspaper. If there are lumps, the paint isno longer good.
Decide what to keep
If the paints are in colors that are still on your walls, it makessense to hang on to them. They will be useful for touch-ups andrepainting when the time comes. If the lids are loose, seal themcarefully; transfer small amounts in smaller containers. Be sure to label with color name, number and date of purchase.
Look for ways to use the leftovers
Even if you’re sure the paint color is notone you’ll return to, consider mixing leftovers of the same paint type (latex withlatex, acrylic with acrylic, oil with oil) to use as an undercoat primer.
Donate paints you don’t want
If you have good paint that you can’t use, offer it to family,friends and neighbors, or call a local paint contractor. Some charities may take paint too,especially those that do work helping the elderly with homerenovations.
Dispose of what you can’t use and can’t give away
How you do itdepends upon the type of paint, but it’s critical that it be done in a manner that won’t cause pollution to drinking water or waterways. One gallon of paint can contaminate many thousands of gallons of water, harm fish and aquatic plant life and eventually poison the food chain.
Listed below are the proper ways to dispose of paint:
- Latex and acrylic paints: Many municipalities will allow you tosolidify these paints and throw them away with the householdtrash. One way to do this is to mix it with a clay-based cat litter ata ratio of two parts litter to one part paint. Do this in a well-ventilated place that’soff-limits to kids and pets. Another way is touse an additive. I tried XSORB’s Rock Solid (view on Amazon) and found that about acupful turned the old latex paint in the photos to a solid after anhour.
- Oil-based and alkyd paints: Check to see if there is a scheduled household waste collection day in your community (typically posted on your state’s Department of EnvironmentalConservation web site). You can also call your town hall. Bring paints to the specified collection site along with other toxicproducts you want to get rid of, such as paint removers, usedsolvents, pesticides, and herbicides.
If your community does not offer this service, call your CountyExtension Home Economics Agent, the local waste management agency,your area’s water treatment plant or the local landfill, and ask whatthe procedure is for where you live.
