How to Dispose of Paint

How To Dispose Of Paint!

We are no different, everybody loves the look of a freshly painted house. However, a common question that is asked when someone is renting a dumpster is, “May I put my wet paint, or paint cans in the bin as well?”  The answer to that question is yes and no. If the paint is 100% dry, water-based (latex) it can be put directly into the dumpster.                    

Oil based paint which is considered hazardous waste, must be taken to one of the 4 collection locations in Kent County. (see the addresses and times at the bottom of this article). 

Wet paint has to be dried out and if you do not love watching paint dry, we have some tips to help speed up the process. Our tips are fairly easy and there is couple of ways of doing it.

Recommended Disposal Method 

The most popular way is to mix the wet paint with something solid and let it dry.  Kitty litter, sawdust, or newspaper are the most common items to mix in and make the paint solid.  Home Depot, Lowe’s and other home improvement stores also offer waste paint hardeners.  Just open the can, pour in one of those materials, mix them thoroughly together with a paint stick, and let it dry.  Once dry, you can place the open cans (without the lids on), into your trashcan if you have a few, or if you have several they can go in the dumpster. 

Most Cost Effective Way To Dispose Of Paint 

The easiest way is to simply let it dry out.  If it is sunny, take off the lids and place the cans in direct sunlight.  This may take some time if there is a lot of paint left in the can. To speed up this process, you can spread it out on a cardboard box, plywood, or even a section of old carpet, increasing the surface area of the paint will make it dry faster. So, whip out the can opener and paint brushes to spend a few minutes painting the items you are disposing of anyway. 

Most Environmentally Friendly Disposal

The best and most environmentally friendly way is to recycle it. There are some charities that will accept paint for their use, some of these organizations would be Boy Scouts; they tend to run on a limited budget therefore most troops may take your paint. Some other options would be Habitat for Humanity Restore (https://www.habitatkent.org/locations-hours/) which takes in reusable construction and painting materials to build houses for those in need. RepcoLite paint stores also accept latex paint free of charge. (https://www.repcolite.com/repcolite-hours-and-locations/). 

If you rent a dumpster from Bin There Dump That Grand Rapids, you are allowed to dispose of water-based paint using the methods described above. We can reached at 616-977-1777, or email us at grandrapids@bintheredumpthat.com.

For oil based paints, considered hazard waste, you can schedule an appointment to drop them off free of charge at one of 4 collection sites by calling Kent County Dept. of Public Works at 616-632-7920.

Kentwood: 5068 Breton Rd. SE, GR 49508.             April – Oct., Tues 1:30-5:30pm

                                                                                  Nov – March, Tues 2:30-4:30pm

Grand Rapids: 1500 Scribner Ave. NW, GR 49504  April – Oct., Wed 7:30-11:30am

                                                                                  Nov – March, Wed 8:00-10:00am

Rockford: 2908 10 Mile Rd. NE, Rockford 49341     April – Oct., Fri 8:30-11:30am

                                                                                  Nov – March, Fri 8:30-10:30am

Wyoming: 2350 Ivanrest Ave. SW, Wyoming 49418   All Year, Mon 1:00-3:00pm

                                                                                                   Thu 7:00-9:30am

Labels: dry paint, how to dispose of paint, paint, paint disposal, paint disposal Grand Rapids, paint disposal Kent County, paint donation, paint recycling, recycle, recycle paint

Location: Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Rockford, Wyoming