PA Resources Council Shares Tips On Properly Disposing Of Latex Paint At Home

On May 14, the PA Resources Council issued tips on how to properly dispose of latex paint at home.

Are you spring cleaning and finding an abundance of unwanted latex paint stored in your basement or garage?    

“It’s important to properly dispose of all paint, both latex and oil-based, since paint can pollute groundwater,” according to Sarah Alessio Shea, Collection Events Manager of the PA Resources Council.  “Therefore, you should never throw liquid paint products into your trash.  And if the paint is usable, by all means offer it to a friend, neighbor or relative.”

If you have latex paint in need of disposal, PRC shares a simple method for preparation at home that allows you to legally and safely dispose of latex paint in your regular trash, eliminating the need to purchase any products or drive to a household chemical collection event.

Latex paint (water based) in a solidified form is not a hazardous waste, so follow these instructions to prepare paint for disposal with your curbside household trash:

-- Divide the paint into small amounts, 1/3-full can or less;

-- Add kitty litter, sand or shredded newspaper into liquid latex paint and mix well;

-- Leave the lid off, set aside and allow the paint to completely dry;

-- Dispose of the dried paint in the trash.

“This method works well for a small quantity of latex paint, such as one-third of a can or less.  Options for correctly disposing of larger amounts of latex paint include using packets of waste paint hardener, which is available at home improvement stores, or dropping off the paint at a household chemical collection event,” said Shea. 

Please note:  Oil-based paints, stains and varnishes are hazardous in any form and always should be taken to a collection event.

For information regarding PRC’s 2020 schedule of household chemical collection events – which accept paint products, pesticides, automotive fluids and a wide variety of products for a fee – visit PRC’s Collection Events webpage or call 412-488-7452.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook.  Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar.  Click Here to support their work.

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[Posted: May 14, 2020]  PA Environment Digest