how you can properly dispose of paints and chemicals in columbus,Ohio.
Do you have random gallons of paint sitting in your garage that will never be used? Not sure how to properly dispose of it? Improper disposal of paints when renting a dumpster can lead to leaking on the ground, and harmful chemicals going into the environment. Below are some tips and tricks on how to prepare and properly dispose of water-based (also known as latex paint) and oil-based paints.
What is water-based paint and how to dispose of water-based paint:
Simply, water-based paint is paint that uses water instead of oil to hold the pigment ad other additives. This paint is easy to dispose of when taking proper precautions. There are multiple ways to dispose of water-based paint. Below are some tips on how to properly dispose of your paint.
Painters Plastic: lay painters plastic or a large trash bag on a flat surface and carefully dump the paint on the plastic and allow the paint to air dry. This method takes the longest, but be sure to spread the paint as thin as possible for it to completely dry.
Sawdust or Kitty Litter: if you have sawdust handy, put it in your paint and it will absorb. This method is for those who have plenty of sawdust. Although kitty litter may be costly, it is also a great option to absorb the paint and help dry it out. This method does not guarantee the paint will be completely dry, so be sure to check over the course of a week to ensure your paint is 100% dry in order to properly dispose of.
Donate: you can always look up your local Habitat for Humanity and drop off your paint if it is still usable. Another option is to ask a friend if they have a small project coming up that is in need of a new paint job.
Paint Hardener: this is a great option if you want something fast acting. Paint hardener can be bought at your local hardware store. This is a simple additive that you stir into a gallon or less of paint and it will be dry within a few minutes!
What is oil-based paint and how to dispose of oil-based paint:
Oil-based paint is paint that will typically be used with linseed oil. Although oil-based paint is durable, it gives off a distinctive fume that helps distinguish oil-based vs. water-based paint. Always read the paint label to determine what type of paint you have. Below are a few ways to dispose of oil-based paints.
Chemical Facility: you can search for a local chemical facility in your area. These companies charge by the gallon to properly dispose of your oil-based paint. On average a chemical company can charge $2-$4 per gallon in Columbus, Ohio.
Local Landfill: you can call your local landfill and see when the next community hazardous waste drop off day is. Usually, residents who reside in that county can dispose of the waste for free.
It is very important to take the right step when disposing of paint. You want to make sure you are not only protecting yourself, but you want to take care of our ecosystem as well. Proper disposal keeps our soil clean, our water free of contamination, and our air free of harmful toxins that paints and chemical can put out.
Please feel free to call Mid Ohio Dumpsters if you have any questions or need assistance finding a disposal facility in the Columbus, Ohio area.