If you operate a busy painting company, you may have numerous cans of leftover paint in your storage room or building. You may want to place the opened cans of paint in the trash before they become too old to reuse in the future. You want to think twice before you discard your old paint in the trash. Your old paint may be hazardous waste. Learn why and how to discard your leftover paint below.
Why Are Some Paint Products Considered Hazardous?
Painting companies and other entities use two types of paint today: oil-based and water-based. Water-based paint contains mostly water, while oil-based paint contains flammable chemicals and toxic ingredients. The ingredients in oil- and water-based paints can play a big role in how and where you dispose of them.
Water-based paint becomes non-hazardous once it dries out. You can generally discard the dry paint into a regular trash container for safekeeping. However, you must take extra precautions with oil-based paint before you dispose of it. The chemicals in oil-based products can become flammable, toxic, and hazardous after you expose them to air and other environmental conditions.
With the right guidance, you can dispose of your leftover paint cans safely.
How Do You Get Rid of Old Paint?
First, allow the leftover paint inside your water-based paint cans sufficient time to dry out and harden. Once the paint solidifies in each can, discard the items right away. If you're concerned about discarding your water-based paint into the trash, reach out to a recycling company for further help. There may be other ways to dispose of your paint.
The next thing you want to do is place all of your oil-based paint cans in an airy place, such as outside your storage building. Examine the cans of paint for dents and anything else that make them unsafe to handle. If the cans are in good condition, seal them properly. Also, label the cans with the words "hazardous waste." The labels will alert other people about the contents of the cans.
If you can't secure or seal the cans of paint properly, pour the contents of the cans into containers you can secure and seal properly. Label the cans as hazardous waste right away.
After you complete the important steps above, call a recycling company and have them pick up, manage, and discard your leftover paint cans.
For more information about hazardous waste disposal, contact a recycling company today.
Share23 June 2021
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