Latex Paint
Latex based paint is, under most circumstances, not considered a hazardous waste, but it cannot be placed in the garbage in its liquid state. So how should one manage unwanted latex paint?

Use options:

• Use it as a primer on your next job, doing so will minimize your waste and increase your profits.

• Give it to someone that can use it. Do NOT leave it at a not-for-profit without their approval. Call and ask if the non-profit can use the paint before delivering it to them.

Disposal options:

• Open your containers and make an assessment of what you’ve got.

• Old latex paint that has hardened can be placed in a dumpster as garbage.

  • Leave the lids off if you do this.

• If it is old, but not hardened, remove the lid and allow it to dry in the can. This will take some time and must be done inside a structure to prevent rainwater from entering the cans.

• A hardener is available at most paint supply stores that will harden latex paint very quickly.

  • It can then be placed in regular trash.

• Pour the paint out on a sheet of plastic on Friday afternoon, inside your shop and not exposed to the weather.

  • Allow it to dry over the weekend.

  • Roll up the dried paint on Monday and reuse the plastic sheet on subsequent Fridays.

  • The dried paint can go in the garbage.

• Project Green Sweep is a Sarasota County operated disposal program that accepts all forms of waste paint materials noted above. You will be charged the cost of disposal and provided with a receipt and disposal record.

  • Weekly disposal quantities are limited. For more information call 941-861-5000 or click here.

Oil Based Paint and Used Solvents/Mineral Spirits

• Use options are the same as for latex.

Disposal Options:

• Oil based/alkyd paints, and solvents used for thinning, cleaning brushes or other application equipment, are hazardous wastes when disposed and must be managed as such. Do not dispose to garbage, evaporate or dump into the environment in any form.

  • Call 941-861-5000 or click here for more information about handling and disposal of hazardous waste.

• Rags/wipers/paper towels that have been saturated with solvents are potentially hazardous waste and should be containerized to minimize evaporation and disposed of as hazardous waste.

• Oil based paints and solvents cannot be hardened or allowed to air dry/evaporate.

  • Doing so is a violation of hazardous waste regulations and is potentially a violation of the Clean Air Act.

• If the paint cannot be used or given away, and volumes prevent your use of Project Green Sweep, the paint can be bulked into a larger container for disposal via a hazardous waste disposal company.

  • There are several hazardous waste disposal companies that serve this area.