Dry out your paint to dispose of it properly.
Disposing of house paint in the proper way is important for the environment. Never pour leftover paint down the drain or in your yard. But you don't need to store old paint because you don't know what to do with it. If all else fails, you can take it to your local recycling center designated for hazardous waste. However, you can safely dispose of paint in your trash can if you dry it out first.
Equipment Needed
Gather the following equipment: Plastic trash bags, sturdy stick, shallow cardboard boxes, newspaper, kitty litter or dirt. The amount of litter/dirt and number of boxes will depend on the volume of paint you need to get rid of.
Procedure
Dry your paint out so it will be accepted in your landfill. You cannot throw liquid paint into the city trash, but paint that has dried is acceptable. Open the newspapers and line your boxes with them. Pour in the kitty litter or dirt and spread it evenly to a depth of about 1 inch. Pour the paint onto the kitty litter being careful not to pour in too much, you can always add more later. Use the stick to stir the mixture so the paint gets absorbed into the litter. Be sure to empty all of the paint from the can. Now let the boxes of paint and the cans sit undisturbed until they are completely dried out. When they are dry, place the boxes of dried painted kitty litter, the stick and the empty paint cans into the plastic bag and tie it closed. Dispose of the bag along with your regular trash.
Recycle
Check to make sure you cannot use the paint before you throw it out. Put an extra coat on your wall or do some touch-up work. If you cannot use it, see if anyone else can. If you have a lot of paint consider donating it to an organization or another person. If your paint is too old or if you just have a small amount then dry it out and get rid of it. In the future, try to use up your paint before it goes bad. Don't store it on a concrete floor as this might cause the can to rust a lot faster. Make sure you close the lid tightly and store the can upside down to prevent air from entering the can. If you can extend the life of your paint, you may be able to use it or recycle it instead of disposing of it.
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