The Right Way to Store and Dispose Paint
Storage of paint
- Store paint in a secure location.
- Store in cool, dry and well-ventilated place at temperature between 20˚C to 40˚C away from heat and sources of ignition.
- Seal the paint can properly before you put it away to keep the paint from drying up.
- Store in original container protected from direct sunlight and away from incompatible materials, food and drink.
- Label storage containers according to the contents.
- Separate paint into water-based or solvent-based during storage.
Disposal of waste paint
- The product should not be allowed to enter drains and watercourses.
- Wastes and empty containers should be treated and disposed of in accordance with national and local regulations.
- Dispose the water-based and solvent-based paint in two different ways :
Water-Based Paint
These are how to dispose of latex paint without taking it to a recycling center
- Add equal parts cat litter to latex paint in the can. If you have more than a half a can, you can also pour the paint into an adequate container size before pouring in cat litter.
- Stir the cat litter into the paint until it thickens and will not spill. Allow the mixture to sit for one hour. Wait until it hardens before disposal.
- Throw the dried paint in the can in the garbage. Make sure to remove the lid to allow the collector to see the content.
- If you don’t have much paint left in the can, you can just remove the lid and let the paint dry out on its own.
Solvent-Based Paint
- Use it all up : Apply a second coat or touch up, as needed.
- Store it so it lasts for years : Tightly seal the used paint can and store it upside-down in a cool, dry storage area.
- Oil-based paints are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed in accordance with the appropriate Environmental Quality Regulations.
- Refer to Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for more information regarding paint disposal.