Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division
Household Paint

Disposal

Procedures include:

1. Provide adequate ventilation by opening windows and doors and/or turning on a room fan.
2. Wear protective clothing such as chemical resistant gloves, eye protection and long sleeves.
3. For quantities less than 1/4 of a can of paint, remove the lid and allow the liquid to dry outdoors in a well-ventilated area away from potential ignition sources, children and pets.  Periodic stirring may be necessary.  Once dry, leave the lid off of the can so your trash hauler knows the paint is dry and dispose in the trash.
4. For quantities greater than 1/4 of a can, mix the paint with kitty litter or other clay-based absorbent in a plastic tray, bucket or a box lined with a plastic trash bag until the absorbent is moist, but not dripping.

5. Set the mixture outdoors in a well-ventilated area away from potential ignition sources, children and pets.  Allow to dry.  If you have additional liquid, this procedure can be repeated in layers.

6. Wrap the dried absorbent in a trash bag and put it in the trash.
7. Some paint stores sell a product specifically designed to dry paint in the can - check with your local paint store for information on these products. Once dry, leave the lid off of the can so your trash hauler knows the paint is dry and dispose in the trash.
8. Empty paint cans can also be placed in the trash.  Leave the lids off of the cans so that your trash hauler can tell they are empty and/or dried.

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