American Coatings Association

While paint is manufactured to be fully used, in the aftermath of a painting project, it is not uncommon to find unopened and partially used cans of paint in garages, basements, sheds and attics. This post-consumer paint raises a question, What to do with Leftover or Post-Consumer Paint?
 

Be Paint Wise, Buy The Right Size

Do your part to help better manage our world’s natural resources. Follow the steps listed below and you will be improving the environment by following the 3R’s … Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

1. BUY THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF PAINT FOR THE PROJECT
   Be a wise consumer and buy only what you need. Check with your local paint dealer for instructions on how to determine the correct volume of paint required for your project. When you purchase the right volume of paint, it eliminates the need to store or dispose/recycle paint when the project is finished, and it might even save you money. When your painting project is complete, take a look in the can. If there is only a small quantity of paint left, use it up. Paint out the last inch-or-two of paint in the bottom of the can.
    
2. STORE PAINT PROPERLY TO KEEP IT FRESH
   If your project is complete and you still have a fair amount of paint leftover, be sure to correctly store the paint. Proper paint storage will eliminate safety concerns and keep your paint fresh for touch-ups or future projects. For best results, cover the opening of the paint can with plastic wrap and securely seal the lid. When you are sure the lid is leak-proof, turn the can upside down and store it in a place with a moderate room temperature to avoid freezing. Be sure to choose a safe location that is out of the reach of children and pets.
    
3. USE UP LEFTOVER PAINT
   Now that you have safely stored your leftover paint, don’t forget about it. Leftover paint can be used for touch-ups or smaller projects and lighter colors can be taken back to a paint retailer and be retinted for another paint project. Record the room name on the lid for future touch ups. You can blend and mix smaller quantities of latex paint to use as a base coat on larger jobs. Perhaps, you know a neighbor or relative who could use your leftover paint; now, that’s being environmentally friendly!
    
4. REUSE OR RECYCLE
   If you can’t make use of the paint yourself, donate your useable leftover paint to a worthwhile community association, theatre company, church group or other local organizations that may be in need of good paint. Perhaps, your community offers a paint exchange event or a special paint collection program. Many communities collect paint for reuse, recycling or as a last resort, proper disposal through local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection programs. Check PaintCare's website, www.paintcare.org, to learn about paint reuse, recycling and HHW collection programs that are available in your community.
    
5. DISPOSE OF THE PAINT PROPERLY
   If there is not a leftover paint collection program available in your area, you may need to dispose of leftover latex paint yourself. Air-drying of liquid alkyd or oil based paint is not considered safe. In regions that allow it, let your latex paint air dry in a safe location away from children and pets. A small amount of paint, less than ½ inch, in the bottom of a paint can is easily dried out by leaving the lid off. Once the paint is hard, discard the paint can with the lid off, preferably in a metal recycling program. If metal recycling is not available or the paint container is plastic, dispose of the container in the garbage. Larger volumes of latex paint can be dried in a box with absorbent material such as shredded paper or kitty litter. Recycle the empty can with the lid off and dispose of the dried out latex paint as garbage. If the paint in the can is solidified all the way through, it may be disposed of as garbage with the lid off to prevent the build up of pressure in the can.

Download the full color brochure:

• The Five-Point Program for Leftover Paint (496.93 kB)
  This brochure provides a step-by-step method for consumers to safely dispose leftover latex and alkyd paint, as well as paint thinners, mineral spirits, and solvents. It also lists several sources for further information.

Latex Paint Disposal

Liquid wastes are restricted from municipal solid waste landfills – never throw away leftover liquid paints in your trash.

Disposal Steps

1. Unused latex paint should be poured into an absorbent material such as a cat box filler, shredded newspaper or sawdust.
    
2. Let it dry completely and dispose of the dried material in your regular trash.
    
3. In areas where recycling programs exist, save the dry, empty containers with the lids off for a steel can recycling program. Small amounts of dried residue will not hinder steel can recycling.
    
4. Wash your paint brushes and painting tools in the sink. Never clean your paint brushes near a storm sewer drain.

Solvent-Based Paint Disposal

Solvent-based or alkyd paints require special disposal practices. Solvent-based paints are ignitable and present particular hazards. These products should not be emptied into storm sewers, household drains (especially if you have a septic tank) or on the ground.

Disposal Steps

1. Save solvent-based paints for a household hazardous waste collection program or contact your local/state government environmental protection agency for guidance on reuse or disposal of unwanted solvent-based paint products.
    
2. In areas where recycling programs exist, save the dry, empty containers with the lids off for a steel can recycling program. Small amounts of dried residue will not hinder steel can recycling.
    
3. Clean paint brushes and painting tools with paint thinner or turpentine.

Remember, Paint disposal is Usually Unnecessary:

Before you dispose of any paint product – apply a second coat, touch up areas which need improvement and attempt to donate "leftover" paint.

Reusing Paint Thinners, Turpentine, Mineral Spirits And Solvents

Paint thinners, turpentine, mineral spirits and solvents can be reused. These products, like solvent-based or alkyd paints, should not be emptied into storm sewers, household drains (especially if you have a septic tank) or on the ground. You can reuse these types of products.

Reuse Steps

1. Put used turpentine or brush cleaners in a closed container and leave it in a safe place until the paint particles settle to the bottom.
    
2. Pour off the clear liquid into an empty, clean container which has a lid for reuse.
    
3. Add an absorbent material such as a cat box filler, shredded newspaper or sawdust to the remaining residue
    
4. Let this residue dry completely before disposing of it in your regular trash.
    
5. In areas where recycling programs exist, save the dry, empty containers with the lids off for a steel can recycling program. Small amounts of dried residue will not hinder steel can recycling.

Recycling Paint And Aerosol Containers

Since all paint and aerosol containers are composed of high-grade steel, they can be recycled in a steel can recycling program. Paint containers made of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET resin SPI code 1) and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE resin SPI code 2) plastic are also recyclable in many communities. Check with your local/state government to determine whether steel and other materials may be recycled in your community.

Recycling Steps

1. To recycle paint containers, make sure they are empty and dry. A thin layer of dried paint on the bottom and sides of the can is usually acceptable.
    
2. In order to recycle paint can lids, just remove them from the container.
   To recycle empty aerosols, do not puncture, crush or incinerate the can. You do not have to remove the nozzle of the spray cans for recycling, but do remove the aerosol caps, which are generally made of plastic.

A Review of the February 2008 Issue Backgrounder — The Paint Industry Works Toward a Nationally Coordinated System for Post-Consumer Paint Management

ACA and the paint industry have taken on a new a new leadership role to address the issue of post-consumer paint management as part of the Paint Product Stewardship Initiative (PPSI). PPSI is a dialogue convened by the Product Stewardship Institute, an organization consisting of local and state regulators from across the country, with a mission to “assist state and local government agencies in establishing cooperative agreements with industry and developing other initiatives that reduce the health and environmental impacts from consumer products.”

Post-Consumer Paint Education

In March 2005, ACA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the PPSI, tasking ACA with undertaking several projects aimed at post-consumer paint cost/volume reduction and education. As part of this endeavor, ACA updated its Protocol for Management of Post-Consumer Paint, which covers education, waste management programs, cost considerations and additional information about post-consumer paint, including approaches. ACA also underwrote the development of the Guidance Manual for Paint Reuse Programs. The guide provides details on how to establish or maximize a reuse program, and includes case studies and sample documents from successful reuse programs across the United States. For consumers, the PPSI created a new best management program, which ACA developed into a print brochure, made available below. The brochure, which advocates a “5-point program” for paint management, follows the 3r’s — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — and focuses on five key steps: buying the correct amount of paint, storing it properly, using it up, supporting reuse and recycle programs, and proper disposal of leftover paint.

Download the full color brochures:

• Protocol for Management of Post-Consumer Paint (1.49 MB)
  A guidance manual designed for anyone involved or interested in household waste management. The protocol discusses education issues, the main types of waste management programs, cost considerations, recycling steel cans and aerosols.

• Guidance Manual for Paint Reuse Programs (1.15 MB)
  The development of effective, economical programs for the proper management of post-consumer paint is in the best interests of government, industry and the public. One type of program that has been successful for states, municipalities, non-profits and other organizations is a reuse program. This publication provides details on how to establish an effective reuse program. Developed in concert with state and local program officials participating in the Paint Product Stewardship Initiative dialogue, the manual reinforces the benefits of reuse programs including, how the donation of surplus materials, such as paint, provides companies and individuals with a no-cost method to support non-profit agencies and their communities; and how reuse programs serve to educate the public about the proper use and disposal of hazardous household materials generally.

Oregon Pilot

Following a second MOU with PPSI in 2007 calling for a nationally, coordinated program for the management of post-consumer paint, PaintCare, a not-for-profit (501(C)(3)) organization, was created by the American Coatings Association (ACA).  ACA, working with state and local government stakeholders, passed the first ever paint product stewardship law in the United States in the State of Oregon in 2009. The legislation pilots an industry-lead end-of-life management program for post-consumer paint, which PaintCare operates. PaintCare participation is not limited to ACA members, but open to all architectural paint manufacturers.  There are no dues or registration fees associated with PaintCare.

The impetus for the law is that an estimated 10 percent of the more than 750 million gallons of architectural paint sold each year in the United States is unused. Post-consumer paint is the largest component of local household hazardous waste collection programs and is costly to manage. Post-consumer paint can be collected for reuse, recycling, energy recovery, or safe disposal, but doing so requires public awareness and a convenient and effective infrastructure that exceeds local government budgets and capacity. The system must also be cost effective.

The OR law enables the industry to implement a program for the management of post-consumer paint by providing for a level playing field among manufacturers and retailers; a sustainable financing system; and an antitrust exemption for activities pursuant to the program — most notably the financing system. The Act states that "it is in the best interest of [Oregon] for architectural paint manufacturers to finance and manage an environmentally sound, cost-effective architectural paint stewardship pilot program, undertaking responsibility for the development and implementation of strategies to reduce the generation of post-consumer architectural paint, promote the reuse of post-consumer architectural paint and collect, transport and process post-consumer architectural paint for end-of-product-life management, including reuse, recycling, energy recovery and disposal"

The financing system is termed a paint stewardship assessment. The law defines this as "the amount added to the purchase price of architectural paint sold in [Oregon] necessary to cover the cost of collecting, transporting and processing the post-consumer architectural paint managed through a statewide architectural paint stewardship pilot program." This assessment is paid to PaintCare by producers for architectural paint sold in Oregon in order to fund the program. Under the Act, it must be added to the wholesale price of paint to all distributors and retailers and included in the final purchase price of paint to all Oregon consumers. This financing system allows funding for the program to be apportioned fairly amongst the manufacturers and retailers and is based on actual sales of new paint. In addition, it provides for a transparent system, where the consumer shares in the responsibility for the end-of-life management of the product.

Using this funding, PaintCare will operate as the stewardship organization and, on behalf of manufacturers of architectural paint sold in Oregon, have set up and are running a convenient, statewide system for the collection of post-consumer architectural paint enabling many residents in Oregon who currently do not have access to a program to more easily return, reuse and recycle left-over paint. The nominal assessment, or PaintCare Recovery Fee covers not only newly purchased products — but the gallons and gallons of paint people already have in their basements and garages. The collected paint is managed using the end-of-product-life hierarchy of reuse, recycling, energy recovery and proper disposal.

PaintCare will undertake the same role for California, which passed the legislation in 2010 and is schedule to begin in July 2012.

For more information on this issue, contact ACA's This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You may learn more about PaintCare by visiting the PaintCare website, www.paintcare.org.