According to The National Paint and Coatings Association, paint (most of it latex) makes up most of the waste collected by hazardous waste programs throughout the US. Latex paint isn't considered hazardous waste, but you still can't get rid of it in your regular trash. Before throwing it out, consider that usable latex paint may be donated or recycled. If this isn't practical, the paint cans will need to be left open and dried out. Once the paint is dry, you can legally get rid of it by putting it outside with the trash.
Instructions
1. Reuse or recycle the paint. Contact your local waste disposal company, Habitat for Humanity, churches or charities to see if they can use donations of leftover paint.
2. Leave the paint cans open in a warm, dry place. If there is only an inch or two in each can, it will dry out within a week. Stir it daily to break the skin that forms on the top so that it dries even faster.
3. Pour small amounts of the latex paint into other waste containers so it dries out quicker. The shallower the paint volume, the quicker it will dry.
4. Add cat litter, sawdust or anything absorbent to dry larger amounts of paint. Stir it in well so it absorbs the moisture.
5. Purchase a commercial paint hardener at a hardware or paint store. This is a highly absorbent powder that dries out even large amounts of paint very quickly.
6. Put the paint out with your trash once it's completely dry. Leave the lids off the cans so the trash haulers can see that the paint is dry; otherwise they might leave it behind.
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