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Paint Disposal

PAINT GIVES OUR HOMES A FRESH LOOK, BUT IT CAN ALSO GIVE THE ENVIRONMENT A COAT OF CONTAMINANTS. WE’LL HAVE TIPS FOR DISPOSING OF BYGONE BUCKETS ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.                                                      

RICHARD DIMONT, PROGRAM MANAGER FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND, ENCOURAGES THE REUSE OF LATEX PAINT.

DIMONT: THE CAMPAIGN I RUN IS USE IT UP, PASS IT ON, OR DRY IT UP. BASICALLY USE IT UP, BLEND IT TOGETHER AND USE IT AS A PRIMER COAT, OR YOU CAN JUST PASS IT ON TO SOMEONE WHO NEEDS IT.

DIMONT SAYS THAT IF YOU MUST THROW OUT OLD CANS, YOU SHOULD FIRST REMOVE THE LIDS TO ALLOW THE CONTENTS TO DRY OUT.

HE SAYS THAT LATEX PAINT IS NOT CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS WASTE IN MOST STATES, BUT OIL-BASED PAINT GENERALLY IS, SO CONSUMERS SHOULD MAKE SURE TO DISPOSE OF IT ACCORDINGLY.

TO FIND PAINT RECYCLING AND DISPOSAL OPTIONS IN YOUR AREA, LOG ON TO EARTH-NINE-ONE-ONE-DOT-ORG.

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Find paint recycling and disposal options in your area from Earth 911.

Read more about disposing of lead paint from the EPA.

Learn more from the Montgomery County, MD Division of Solid Waste.

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