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How
many of us practice storing
leftover paint in can upside down?
By Tricia Winkler
County Extension Agent
Gwinnett Extension Service
Special to GwinnettForum.com
MARCH 29, 2002 -- Paint is a common product we all
have in our homes that can become a household hazardous waste when
it is not properly stored or disposed.
Most paint is made up of four components:
Resin: Main ingredient that forms a coating or film on the
surface being painted. This is typically a non-hazardous component.
Solvent: Keeps paint in liquid form until it is applied.
Solvent in oil-based paint can include hazardous ingredients. Solvent
in latex paint is water.
Pigments: Provide the color and opacity or covering power.
The pigments are relatively nontoxicl, but highly colored pigments
may contain heavy metals.
Additives: These prevent paint deterioration in the can,
help paint to dry, act as thickeners, and add preservatives that
prevent mold. These can include both hazardous and non-hazardous
products.
To determine the hazardous ingredients of paint, request a Material
Safety Data Sheet from the retailer when you purchase the paint.
There are several steps you can take to determine whether the paint
you have is still usable. First, if the paint will mix when stirred,
it is probably usable. Oil-based paints usually last up to 15 years,
and latex paints up to ten years.
Storing paint can also be essential to both your health and to
the life of the paint. You should store paint by tightly sealing
the can upside-down, this ensures that a seal forms around the lid.
Paint should also be stored in dry areas that will not freeze.
The best way to determine if latex paint is usable after being frozen
is to brush the paint on newspaper. If there are lumps, the paint
is no longer usable. Lastly, it is important not to store paint
near sources of sparks or flames.
Many people just don't know what to do with the left-over paint
after completing a project. It is very important that you NEVER
throw away liquid paint or pour it down the sink because it can
contaminate water sources and the environment. Instead think about
doing one of the following:
- Buy only the amount you need for the job. The retailer should
help you to determine the surface area and amount needed.
- Use up any leftover paint. You can do this by applying an extra
coat or using it on another project.
- Check to see if a friend or neighbor would be interested in
using it.
- Check with a local school, church, theater group, Habitat for
Humanity, or daycare center.
- As a last resort, small amounts of paint can be solidified.
To obtain instructions on solidifying paint, please call your
County Extension Service at 678-377-4010.
- If you have spray paint cans you should follow the instructions
on the label for getting rid of left-over paint. Once empty these
cans can be placed in the trash.
When you have a paint can that has no paint and is ready to be
disposed of, you should leave the lid off the paint can so that
the hauler can see that it is empty. Place the empty cans and lids
on top of the trash so they are easily recognized.
In order to keep paint from being a hazard to ourselves and the
environment, we need to take special precautions. By following the
above guidelines you will be doing your family and your environment
a favor
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Number
1.94, March 29, 2002
