You might be busy with a home renovation job, and as you approach the finish line, you’re putting in the final touches — literally. Paint comes at the end of the construction process, once materials are installed, sanded down, and ready for colorful design. This makes a home pop, and given it’s the ultimate stage, its materials will be part of the waste that goes into your rented dumpsters. As you finish up painting, you might be wondering — can old paint cans go into these dumpsters? The answer depends on the contents of the cans.
When Paint Cans Can Clearly Be Thrown Away
If these metal or plastic cans have been fully used, washed out and dried, and are now nothing more than empty buckets, they absolutely can go into your dumpster rentals. (Note that they can also be recycled, or repurposed as needed.) The answer gets a little more complicated, however, if there are still contents within your paint cans — and what exact kind, as well.
Many forms of paint are not allowed in dumpsters because of their toxic qualities. This includes regular acrylic paint or wall paint, lacquer, paint thinners, and wood stains — all of these types of common paint contain lead, mercury, or both, which are hazardous and must be disposed of separately from the contents of your dumpster rental. The one exception is dry latex paint — like cleaned, empty paint cans, these are allowed to go into dumpsters, however it is safest if they are wrapped in plastic bags first.
Why You Can’t Put All Types of Paint Cans in a Dumpster
There are reasons for these rules about properly disposing of paint cans. Many oil-based paints consist of toxins and chemicals that can contaminate soil and water. This is detrimental (and possibly deadly) to plantlife and water sources that surround waste yards, which have strict regulations about what can be placed in them. In fact, it may be illegal for you to dispose of paint cans in dumpsters, so save yourself a fee and legal troubles by properly throwing out these buckets.
The Optimal Way to Dispose of Old Paint Cans
The best way to throw out paint cans is to fully use the paint and clean it out. Paint lasts for a while, so even if you don’t use the entire can, keep it around in your basement or shed anyway — seal it properly, and a time may come when your paint job requires touch ups. (You’ll be grateful you held onto the can, as some paint can get expensive!) Once the can is fully used, wash it out in your slop sink, ensuring all the paint is removed and the can is pristine. Then, you may place it into your dumpster rental or with other like-materials for recycling.
What If You Want to Dispose of a Can of Paint that Is Not Empty?
If there is still paint in your can or it is not clean, you can still throw it out, but not in your dumpster. (Cat litter can be used to help absorb paint to help the can dry out more quickly.) See where your borough disposes of these cans, and follow the rules accordingly. Your town may have a local hazardous waste drop-off site, or set times when these materials are collected. Then you are all set!