How to Get Rid of Old Paint

Getting Rid of Paint

Water-based paint is fairly easy to clear out. This type of paint, which includes both latex and acrylic varieties, is the least toxic and safest to use. But they still require taking some care when disposing of them. Your best bet is to leave the lid off and let the paint dry until hard and throw it in the trash. Just because they are water based does not mean you can dump them down the drain, in a sewer, or in a creek. They can clog or damage sewer and septic systems, both of which can be very expensive to fix. And obviously animals in streams are not accustomed to being coated in a thick layer of pigments; that unusual tradition is unique to our species.

Oil paints require more care to dispose of correctly. Oil paints and enamels are technically hazardous waste and need to be handled as such. Where water-based paints use water to keep their pigments and resins in suspension, oil-based paints use petrochemical solvents to do the job. These are both dangerous to inhale and highly flammable. Do not throw them in the trash, and, as mentioned above, do not dispose of any paint in a sewer or river system. If you can't find some way to use it up, you could try to find someone else who could use it, such as a charity organization, local theatre group, or your friend Huckleberry Finn, the river-rat fence-painter. Once your can is mostly empty, you can leave the lid off in a well-ventilated area, and throw away the remnants after they have solidified.

Spray paint cans are potentially explosive, so handle with care. Much like the oil-based paints above, spray paints are a hazardous waste item and should be stored and disposed of carefully. They most likely contain some kind of flammable solvent and definitely contain a potentially explosive pressurized propellant, which is what forces the paint out of the can. You cannot throw these cans away unless they are empty, both of paint and propellant. You should bring them to your hazardous waste center if they are still charged.

Recycling paint containers is also an option. So far, all of these solutions have ended with throwing the empty, usually aluminum, containers in the garbage can. Seems a tad wasteful, you say? I agree, but the reality is that every recycling center has different standards; you should ask yours before proceeding. Many won't take cans if they are laden with dried paint, and often removing dried paint would take more energy than you would save in recycling the metal. Maybe you are a more careful painter than I—more attentive and thoughtful about the state of your paint can. Maybe you switch to a sealable plastic container upon purchasing an aluminum one, thus leaving you with a pristine, easily washable metal one. If that is the case, you can probably recycle your paint cans—it's something I need to work on, I guess.

Dry paint chips can contain lead. As mentioned in the sidebar, if your house is older than thirty years, it is likely that lead-based paints can be found inside. If paint is flaking away from a surface, it is imperative that you lay down a drop cloth, scrape that area, repaint it and dispose of that old paint and all cleaning and protective supplies properly at your local hazardous waste collection center. Obviously, you don't want those paint chips to be picked up and sucked on by a crawling toddler or a slightly intoxicated friend from college. Be very wary of dust and paint residue. Follow the EPA's guidelines on removal of old paint or, better yet, hire a professional.

Safety is reason enough to get rid of paint.

If there is a theme to this article it is that paint, especially old paint, is very bad stuff. There are a lot of reasons to get rid of it and also to ask the question "why do we surround ourselves with toxic substances?" In the past few decades new laws and regulations have reduced the potential for poisoning by a great deal. But it leaves me wondering, has the danger just been painted over in my house? How many layers of safe paint contain the danger?

If you share my concerns, there are steps we can take to analyze the contents of the paints on our walls. There are home test kits available at any paint or hardware store. They are specific to a particular paint or toxic substance, so look around and find the right one. If you are dubious about the accuracy of such tests, you can also find a professional laboratory to test it for you. Also, as mentioned above, when in doubt, call in a professional.

If you ever have a concern that you or your child may have been exposed to lead paint, bring them immediately to a doctor where their blood can be tested for lead. Through mineral and chelation therapy, lead levels can be lowered fairly rapidly. If left untreated, lead can cause birth defects, cognitive impairments, and permanent developmental problems. You don't want this for yourself or your children. Be proactive, and be prepared.