Is Paint Hazardous? That Depends
Attention, all Berks County residents! Latex paint is not a hazardous material!
To dispose of, simply take the lid off (latex paint cans) and let the paint dry. You
can also use sand, cat litter, shredded paper or saw dust to soak up the paint.
Scrape out the contents, flatten out the can and dispose in the trash.
Still can't use your paint? Donate it. There are civic groups, clubs, churches,
schools, theater groups and organizations in your area that would really
appreciate the extra paint. Some donations may even be tax deductible.
Oil or solvent based paint should be disposed of at a special household waste
or collection program.
Aerosol cans are not accepted in any of the recycling programs throughout the
County. Once aerosol cans are empty they can be thrown out. If they are marked
as poisonous, then they must be disposed of at a household hazardous waste
collection program.
Managing Leftover Paint
When getting ready to paint, buy just the
amount you need to do the job. When you
avoid buying too much at the start, there's
less chance that leftovers will end up in the
trash later.
Suppose, despite your best efforts, you still
have leftover paint. Store paint properly for
future touch ups or small projects. Just make
sure the lid fits securely so the paint doesn't
leak and store the paint can upside down.
The paint will create a tight seal around the lid
keeping the paint fresh until you need it
again.
