How to Dispose of Paint Thinner With Paint Mixed In

Leftover paint thinner with paint mixed in is not something you can simply dump onto the ground to dispose of. The chemicals and toxic fumes that make up paint thinner and paint are harmful to the environment and to people. They can contaminate drains and sewage systems if dumped down the sink or tub and can end up in people's irrigation systems if dumped outside. Special restrictions apply to the disposal process for paint thinners and paints to ensure that homeowners and industry workers know the proper ways to throw away unused products.

Things You'll Need

• Flat tool
• Garbage bag
• Cat litter

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Keep the paint thinner with the paint in its original can or container. Make sure you have the corresponding lid so the can or container seals shut. During the transport of the paint thinner, you do not want to risk the paint spilling onto the ground or inside a vehicle.

• 2

  Find a paint and paint thinner collection company in your area. Call your county waste or recycling department for this information. Ask if there are companies that will collect the leftover paint for you. In Illinois, a program called Partners for Waste Paint Solutions was instituted in 1995 as a means of helping people dispose of paints properly. A collection service may charge you a small fee to come to your home or office and pick up the leftover paint thinner and paint, but it eliminates the need for you to bring the paint anywhere yourself.

• 3

  Contact the store where you purchased the paint and see if they have a buy-back program. Some paint supply stores might give you the option to bring back any unused paint for a minimal buy-back cost or the store might have a program in place for paint disposal they do for customers free of charge.

• 4

  Dry the paint out in its can. Leave the paint thinner with the paint mixed in outside with the lid off, in the Sun. The sun will dry the paint and it will harden. Do not attempt to dry paint out in enclosed areas, such as your home or garage, or else you can impact the air quality.

• 5

  Chisel the dried paint out of the can with a flat tool. Dump the paint into a lined garbage bag. Seal the garbage bag and throw it into a dumpster.

• 6

  Pour excess paint into a vat of cat litter. The cat litter absorbs the paint so that it can be thrown out. Place the cat litter with the paint thinner and paint into a lined garbage bag and into the dumpster. Wash and recycle the paint can.