29 AUG
Every year, thousands of gallons of paint are spilled on job sites and wasted when homeowners purchase more paint than they need. And that's not to mention what's left over when professional painters have completed their work. In terms of hazardous waste, leftover paint falls into the chemical category. The paint contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, toluene, xylene, and acetone. M&M Waste knows everything you need to do to dispose of paint and paint cans safely. We can also offer a dumpster rental to help you clean up during your cleanup. It is cost-effective to rent a dumpster for any cleanup project.
In most cases, you can't just throw these cans in the trash because they contain materials that are considered hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means that if they're not disposed of properly, they could contaminate the environment or harm people who come into contact with them after they've been thrown away.
Paint in large containers will last longer than paint in small containers, so consolidate everything into one container if possible. This will make it easier to transport the container and ensure all your paints are together, so they don’t get mixed up with other paints at the recycling facility. Yes, they may be different colors, but that’s perfect for a unique project.
If any paint has spilled out, seal the can before recycling or disposing of it properly. If there’s too much spillage inside the can, take care not to breathe in any fumes while opening it up or transporting it outside. You should also wear gloves while handling containers with spillage or residue, especially if they have oil-based paints.
If any latent paint is left in your brush or roller, then make sure that it is sealed tightly before disposing of them. If possible, remove these items from the container they are in before sealing them so that they do not get mixed into other debris and cause contamination at the recycling facility.
Oil-based paints are a bit more complicated to dispose of than their water-based counterparts. The best way to ensure they don't end up in a landfill is to take them to a recycling center where they can be reused or repurposed into new paint. If that's not an option, you can also try to burn them out or mix the oil with kitty litter or sand and then put it in the trash.
Paint cans have been made illegal in most states because they may contain lead, which can leach into the soil when exposed to moisture. In addition, some areas require that empty paint cans be recycled or taken back by the store from which they were purchased.
It's critical to dispose of paint correctly because it's an environmental hazard affecting water quality and air quality when disposed of carelessly. One way to do this is to procure a dumpster rental from M&M Waste. We are available to dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous materials properly. Whether you have leftover paint in your garage or a job site, it's important to get rid of it safely.
