These products are considered hazardous waste.and can be brought to the Snohomish Hazardous Waste Facility for proper disposal.
Paints and solvents (liquid paint, varnish, stains, thinner stripper, etc.) are among the more toxic products we have in our homes. Many paints contain heavy metals such as cadmium. Oil-based paints and paint thinners are made with solvents that evaporate easily, giving off harmful fumes. Leftover paint should never be thrown in the garbage, poured on the ground, or into storm drains as it can contaminate groundwater and streams.
Note: latex paint is one that is not accepted at the Hazardous Waste Facillity. If you have one inch or less of leftover latex paint, dry it out by opening the can and letting it evaporate outdoors (away from children and pets). You can then dispose or the dried paint in the garbage with the lid off.
Some ideas for leftover paint:
- Apply a second coat or use for touch-ups.
- Stencil or sponge-paint walls or furniture.
- Mix latex paint together to use as a base coat (mix interior with interior; exterior with exterior).
- Give it away. Check with neighbors, friends, theater groups or community organizations to see if they could use it.
- Paint a fence, shed or your doghouse.
- List it on http://www.2good2toss.com/snohomish/
Reusable Building Materials Exchanges - such as Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore might accept used paint (call ahead).
Paint brought into Household Hazardous Waste depots is often blended, or remanufactured into new product. Consider buying remanufactured or blended paint where it’s available.
Latex paints contain fewer toxic substances than oil-based paints, and do not require solvents for thinning and clean up. The best choice is organic paints, made entirely from plant materials- however, at present, these are difficult to find.
Buy only what you need. Here's a handy paint calculator for your next project https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/paint-calculator
In some areas Home Depot and Rona are now offering paint recycling. Eligible paints include latex, alkyd, enamel, metal and rust, stain, urethane, polyurethane, varnish and sealers for wood and concrete.
