Special Waste

Latex Paint Disposal


The best way to manage latex, acrylic, and water-based paints and stains are to
  • Use it up - Small amounts of paint can be mixed with other colors or bulked together and used as a primer coat or on jobs where the final finish is not critical.
  • Dry it up - Place kitty litter in with the left over paint to harden it or use paint hardening products that are on the market.
  • Pass it on - Donate unused paint to community projects or neighbors to be used on small projects.

Other Practices


  • Prevention is the best practice. Buy only what you need to get the job done. One gallon of paint will cover between 250 and 350 square feet.
  • If you have some paint left over you can dispose of it in the regular trash, but first it must be solidified. Do not place liquid paint in your trash.

Sharps/Needles


Sharps or needles should be placed in a heavy plastic jug or bottle with a tightly secured lid and then placed in the household garbage. Do not place the container with the sharps in your recycling bins.