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How to dispose of leftover paint without polluting
the environment Always be sure to read the label, which contains important information regarding the product. The best and easiest way to dispose of left over paint is to use it all up. Apply another coat or touch up as needed. Left-over paint can be given to someone else who has a need for the product. Make sure that any product you 'donate' is in its original container and has its label intact. Alternatively left-over paint can be saved for touch-up for years depending on how much paint has been left in the container and how securely the lid has been replaced. By storing the paint can upside down the paint creates an air proof seal around the lid. Store away from extreme heat and cold and combustion. Always store paint and solvents in the original labelled container that has been approved for long term storage. While you may have used other household containers to store small amounts of paints or solvents in the past, it can be a very dangerous practice. Solvents can attack many containers, particularly plastic containers not designed to hold paint or solvents, causing them to become brittle or crack over time. Even worse, solvents can be accidentally consumed if they are stored in containers usually associated with food storage. For this reason never store paint or solvents in containers such as drink bottles. Store out of reach of children. Waterbased paints can be left to dry by removing the lid and allowing the left-over paint to dry. This should be done in an area, which is well away from children and animals. Allow the paint to dry completely. Properly sealed solvents and thinners have an almost unlimited shelf life. Keep and use. Solventbased paints require special disposal practices. They are also ignitable and present other hazards. These products must never be poured down stormwater drains, the household sink (especially if you have a septic tank), or on the ground. Solventbased paint (also referred to as alkyd or oil-based) should be disposed of as a household hazardous waste. Hold for a 'Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day'. If your local community does not undertake such programmes, contact your local Council for disposal guidance. Paint Thinners, turpentine, mineral spirits and solvents should never be poured down a drain or the storm sewer. With the following simple steps, you can reuse these types of products. Let used turpentine or brush cleaners sit in a closed container until the paint particles settle out. Then pour off the clear liquid, which can be reused. Add an absorbent (e.g. cat litter) to the remaining residue until it becomes dry. Finally, contact your local Council for guidance on disposal. Steel paint cans are recyclable when empty. Allow paint residues to dry out, then place in an approved recycling bin - contact your local Council for guidance. Aerosols. Don't puncture aerosol cans or throw into an incinerator. Empty aerosols by spraying into an old cardboard box. Dispose of box and can as household waste. Most plastic paint containers are recyclable but paint residues must be removed, This is best accomplished by scraping the wet paint out. Most local Councils will also allow empty paint containers containing dry residue, to be disposed of in the weekly household trash. However it is advisable to check first. Remember to leave the lid off so that the rubbish collector can see that the paint has hardened. Remember: Left-over paint
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