The Hazardous Materials facility is your place for recycling, reuse, and proper disposal of your hazardous materials. Electronics, Freon appliances, household materials including pharmaceuticals, medical aids, paints, cleaners, and other common substances are hazardous waste that can pollute our soil, water, and air.
ACCEPTED AT CENTRAL RECYCLING & REUSE ONLY
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We accept all kinds of paints and stains.
Latex*
Dried, Frozen, Liquid
*Reusable latex paint can be donated for free.
Non-reusable latex paint is accepted for a fee.
Fees are as follows:
1 quart or smaller = $2.00
1 gallon or smaller = $5.00
5 gallon or smaller = $20.00
The following are accepted free of charge:
Oil Based
Paint related products
Lead based paint and paint chips are free of charge
Rags used while applying linseed oil, paint thinner, mineral spirits, etc.
The reusable paint we receive is placed in the Haz Bin room to be used by residents for small home projects. While you're at the facility, be sure to visit the Paint & Materials Exchange at the Central Station's Hazardous Materials Facility. When the public drops off hazardous materials, we check them and put the usable products in the HazBin. For example, on an average day, we take in anywhere from 25 - 100 gallons of paints. Sometimes good paint comes in unopened. You might also be able to pick up some household cleaning solvents, auto fluids, or lawn and garden chemicals, depending on availability.
Household paints and solvents contain chemicals that can endanger human health and the environment if disposed of improperly. Since household paints and solvents are considered household hazardous wastes, they should be purchased and handled in one or more of the following ways:
Purchase only the quantity of paint you will need to do a satisfactory paint job. The quantity of paint needed can be determined by calculating the square footage of the walls being painted less windows and door openings. The paint can label will generally provide information on the square footage for which that particular paint will cover. If unused paint is left after the job is completed, apply a second, third... coat until the paint container is completely empty. Once the paint can is empty and dry, dispose of the empty can in the garbage or recycle the steel paint can at a metal recycler listed in the yellow pages under Recyclers or Scrap Dealers.
Use all leftover paint on odd jobs such as closets, under-side of steps, fences, dog house, attic, etc. Once the paint can is empty and dry, dispose of the empty paint can in the garbage or recycle the steel paint can at a metal recycler listed in the yellow pages under Recycling or Scrap Dealers.
The best thing to do with usable paint is to use it up! If you can't use your leftover paint, give it to someone who can. Usable paint may also be donated to friends and neighbors, housing assistance organizations, local community projects, schools, churches, local shelters and theatre groups, community outreach groups, Recreation departments, Park departments, or other similar groups in your area. You can also bring it to the Hazardous Materials Facility's Haz Bin Room for reuse. You may be able to write a portion of this donation off on your income taxes.
Paint thinners, mineral spirits and turpentine can be reused by first letting the paint particles settle to the bottom of the container in which you cleaned the brushes. The container should have a top to keep the liquid from evaporating during the process. After several days, pour the clear liquid into a clean, closed container for reuse on future paint cleaning projects. You may filter the liquid through a coffee filter to keep any paint particles from passing through.
Step 1: Find an outside work area away from children, pets and rain. Locked screen porches and storage sheds work well. Some latex paint contains lead and mercury so it's important to dry paint outdoors in a safe sheltered place.
Step 2: Dry it. Choose one of the drying methods described later on this page. Paint will take between several days and several months to dry. It depends on the type and quantity that you have.
Step 3: Throw the dried paint and other materials in the trash. Your empty metal paint cans can be recycled. Leave the lids off the dry paint cans to show they are empty.
For small amounts: Brush latex paint in layers on newspaper or cardboard and let dry. For larger amounts: Pour think layers (less than one inch) of paint onto cardboard or plastic. Allow paint to dry one layer at a time. Thin layers will speed up the drying process.
