I had done a post on Top 70 Eco Paints– but still paint is paint and no matter if it has zero VOC’s you still have to get rid of it. Now-California has launched a new program to address the issue of old paint. California Product Stewardship Council in a grant from Waste Management is setting out to educate consumers about the use and disposal of paint.
I Just Gotta Tell Ya:
- California spends $16 Million annually to dispose of hazardous paint- about $8.00/gallon of taxpayer cost.
- In 2000 California collected 17.2 millions pounds of leftover paint.
- Latex paint can be recycled into new paint-it can be processed to make concrete and reused into new paint.
What You Can Do
- Buy Recycled Latex Paint see listing for companies that manufacture recycled latex paint in California.
- Calculate carefully the amount of paint you need. Try using this Paint Calculator for the Paint Quality Institute to tell you how much you need to purchase.
- Buy Green Seal Certified Paint in which recycling costs decrease
- Use up leftover paint for other projects
- Store paint properly to kepp fresh.
- Reuse or recycle leftover paint- consider posting on sites such as Craigslist to get rid of
- Ask your paint store to recycle your leftover paint
Where to Get Free Recycled Paint:
- Check out Craigslist in your area
- Check your local Hazardous Waste Facility- many offer ‘Free Paint Days’
- Plano Texas-The City of Plano Sustainability & Environmental Services Department operates a Household Chemical Reuse Center where Plano residents may obtain reusable household products, collected through the residential chemical collection program and approved for reuse, for free.
- San Francisco-Hazardous Waste Collection, on Recycle Road off of Tunnel Avenue- between 8am and 4pm Thursday through Saturday.