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How to Safely Dispose of Paint

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If you have a home, there's a good chance you've bought or are planning to buy some paint. Whether bookcase you got at the garage sale could use a fresh coat or you've decided the bedroom would look better in blue, painting can make that house feel like a home. But when you're finished with that half-empty can of paint, it's important to store or dispose of it properly. After all, paint can be toxic to the environment and the health of others if you don't.

Proper Storage

First, if you didn't use an entire can of paint and want to save it for a later day, make sure you sure it properly. Seal it, make sure the lid is secure and find a cool dark spot, like a basement, to store it in your home. A place that is too hot can damage the paint and potentially lead to a fire, while a space that is too cold can cause the paint to separate. If you have very little paint left or the can is damaged in some way, consider storing it in glass jars with lids.

Dry It Out

If you don't want to keep what's left, you have plenty of options. Throwing it away should be a last resort, and if you do throw it away, you'll want to dry it out first. You can do this by pouring cat litter into the can. Use as much cat litter as you have paint left or just a little more. Let it sit for at least an hour. If you don't have cat litter, newspaper or paper towels may work, depending on how much paint is left. You can also buy paint hardeners at your local hardware store.

Throwing It Away

Once the paint is dry, you can throw it in a garbage bag and dispose of it the way you would any trash. Just keep the lid off of the can. Also, you may want to check your local laws. Some cities and states do not allow you to throw paint away in the garbage, and if you're caught it could mean hefty fines.

Recycle It

If your city doesn't allow you to throw away paint or you don't feel comfortable doing so, you can always opt to recycle it. Your local Habitat for Humanity will take it off your hands and either use it or recycle it. You can also visit Paintcare.org to look for recycling locations in select states. You can also check with your local city officials or your local hardware store to find out if there are any community recycling programs that accept paint or hazardous materials.

Donate It

If recycling is not possible, considering donating the paint to someone who can use it. Maybe you have a friend or family member who is an artist. Check with your local schools to see if an art or woodshop teacher may like to have it to use in the classroom. Churches, theatrical groups, senior centers and other organizations that work on painting projects in your community may be interested too.