If you're like most people, you probably have a few cans of paint lying around your house that you need to get rid of. Maybe your home improvement project didn't quite go as planned, or maybe you just decided to change your mind about the color. No matter how you ended up with excess paint, it's important to dispose of it properly. In this blog post, we will discuss how to dispose of paint in a safe and eco-friendly way.
What should I do with my leftover paint?
There are two options when disposing of paint, throwing it out or recycling. You can usually tell if paint is still good by checking the color, consistency, and smell of the paint.
If the paint is still usable, we recommend taking it to Paint Supplies & Surplus in South Phoenix (call before heading down there.) If the paint is not usable, your best option is to throw it away. We will cover later how to do this.
Color
Check that the color is how you bought it. If it has a red or pink cast chances are the can has rusted and the rust got into the paint. No one wants to be putting rust on their walls so it's best to dispose of it. If it has been sitting a while you may need to stir it to get see the color as paint will settle after a while.
Consistency
Check for chunks of paint. If it has gotten hot it may have a film on the top of the paint. This is not usually an issue. If it is like cottage cheese it likely froze one too many times and should be thrown out. If it is otherwise chunky, it has air that has gotten in most often because the lid was not fully sealed when done, again, it is best to throw it out.
Smell
Does the paint smell like sewage? That is a sign of water being put in the paint and it's no good, throw it out.
How to throw away paint in Arizona
Each city is a little different, most cities will tell you to put paint hardener or clay cat litter in the paint and let it dry with the lid off and throw it in the trash.
Phoenix
Phoenix has the Household Hazardous Waste Pickup program that will pick up to 10 gallons a year of paint once a year if you are customer of the city's solid waste service. You will want to make sure that you have the paint cans securely closed using this service and that they are properly labeled. Otherwise dispose of as mentioned before.
Scottsdale
Scottsdale states on their website that paint should not be put in trash cans. Scottsdale will pick up 20 Gallons per appointment and Scottsdale Waste customers get 3 free hazardous pickups a year you can sign up for pickup here.
Cave Creek
Dispose of paint by drying out paint by drying it out as mentioned above.
Peoria
In Peoria, all water based paints should be disposed by drying out the paint, the city will not accept latex paint in their Household Hazardous Waste Pickup service. The city will pick up no more than 5 gallons of oil base paint. You can find more info on their website.
Glendale
Glendale will take oil based paints in their hazardous pickup, they will also take paint that is not hardened, but you can also harden the paint and dispose of it in the trash.
Tempe
In Tempe take your paint to 1320 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281
Mesa
In Mesa you can drop off any paint related products at 2412 N. Center St., Bldg. #2
Mesa, AZ 85201. You can also dry out your latex paint and put them in the trash.
Chandler
If you live in Chandler you can drop off paint at 955 E Queen Creek Rd, Chandler, AZ. Paint is limited to 25 gallons.
Queen Creek
Residents of Queen Creek have a Recycling Days October, November, January, and April. Oil base paints and solvents can be disposed of at 2224 E Queen Creek Rd Wednesday through Saturday 7:00am-2:30pm.
Gilbert
Gilbert residents can dispose of paint at 2224 E Queen Creek Rd Wednesday through Saturday 7:00am-2:30pm. There is a limit of 10 gallons a day.
Goodyear
Goodyear has seasonal pickups you can schedule or drop off by schedule a drop off time with ActEnviro at 602-684-9160. Latex paint can be hardened and disposed of in a trash can.
Buckeye
In Buckeye you can drop off your paint at 23454 MC 85, Buckeye, AZ 85326. You need to schedule a drop-off time.