Disposal of leftover paint

Before you get rid of the leftover paint, see if you can use it up in other projects around the house, or ask your friends or neighbors if they could make use of the paint.

Liquid paint waste

• Liquid paint waste (paints, lacquers, thinners, white spirit used for cleaning the tools) is hazardous waste.
  
• Liquid paint waste must not be poured down drains or on to the ground, or placed in the trash. Improper disposal of hazardous waste is harmful to the environment.
  
• Hazardous waste should be taken to a municipal hazardous waste collection point, for example. In larger cities, hazardous waste can be taken to a traveling collection truck on regularly scheduled collection days a few times a year. Hazardous waste can also accepted by some larger service stations and retail outlets. Each country adheres to the local practices and legislation.

Solid paint waste

• Solid paint waste can be disposed of with mixed waste. Small amounts of liquid paint can be left to air-dry in the can by leaving the lid slightly open.
  
• If you're not sure the paint is completely dried out, take the can to a hazardous waste collection point.

Disposal of natural oils

• Paper towels, cotton waste, rags and other porous materials soaked with some type of natural oil, such as varnish, linseed oil or wood oil, may spontaneously catch fire. Soaked spray painting waste and sanding dust are also prone to spontaneous combustion.
  
• Soak this type of waste in water in a container and take the container to a hazardous waste collection point. Cotton waste and other natural fibers can be disposed of by burning in a controlled manner in a wood burner.