One Small Step: Smart Paint Disposal
September 27, 2007 by Jennifer
Before the holidays many families try to spruce up the old homestead with fresh paint (both exterior and interior). But what to do with left-over paint? Toss it?
Nope; paint poured into your drains or outside will harm streams, groundwater supplies and soil due to runoff and chemicals. Not to mention; if you pour it outside, animals and kids may find it and get sick.
- The best first step would be to use safer, less toxic paints. One of my favorite magazines, Mother Earth News had a wonderful article last year that discussed earth-friendly paints including how to make your own. There’s also a full gallery of photos.
- If you do a lot of painting save your leftovers. Unless you’re using key-lime for everything (please say no) than all your old paints mixed together will tend to create a dullish gray color can be re-used as a primer for other projects.
- Use it up. Let the kids use it with small brushes for art, paint birdhouses or bookshelves; donate it to a school or community center.
- Give it to a hazardous waste collection organization. Ask your local trash or recycling program where to go.
- Bulk paint is no bargain. I very rarely say, “Don’t buy in bulk” but anything that’s toxic is going to be something I do say that about. If you only need to paint the porch rails, don’t buy a gallon because it’s less money per unit. That’s not a bargain for the planet.
What small green steps do you take when decorating?
Here’s a little tip: if you need to buy a lot of paint, you can ask for a contractor’s discount. It never hurts to try. It worked for me. I’m not a contractor, but felt like one with the last house I had.
Also, new homeowners love it when you leave paint (as long as it’s not too old) after you sell a house. It’s nice for touch-ups and it might prevent someone from having to repaint an entire room because they could not match your color.
You can actually try that tip for all kinds of building projects. When I built a house I told people that I was a home builder all the time and got discounts (which was true because home building I was). That tip for leaving paint is a great one. As long as you make sure to date and label it.