How do you guys dispose of finish rattle cans (empty or not)? I seldom use them so haven't tossed any, but now have some old ones that have been sitting around for years and want to get rid of them.

at the county hazardous material turn in site...

Before the EPA they made excellent target practice. Now, I do put them in the recycle container.

1 hour ago, lew said:

Before the EPA they made excellent target practice. Now, I do put them in the recycle container.

Have you seen how they are treated a waste disposal site? Target practice is not much different and, a lot more fun.

 

Not the best recommendation but I have seen a few in a fire pit.  Great entertainment value.

Well, we have no county recycle site, they closed last month. Instead we have dumpsters for several things, but not paint. I think if they are 1/2 full or more Habitat might take them, but otherwise I'm lost as to what to do. I suppose I could try to empty the cans by spraying them into a garbage can or something, then put the empty ones in the trash...but that doesn't seem to be a good approach.

@HandyDan's approach saves ammo. More bang for your buck...so to speak.

2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Well, we have no county recycle site, they closed last month. Instead we have dumpsters for several things, but not paint. I think if they are 1/2 full or more Habitat might take them, but otherwise I'm lost as to what to do. I suppose I could try to empty the cans by spraying them into a garbage can or something, then put the empty ones in the trash...but that doesn't seem to be a good approach.

 

Around here it is suggested to get some cardboard and paint it.  Let it dry and dispose of it.  Goes for brush on paint in cans too.

Mine just go in the garbage,recycle won't take them, haz/waste will but 30 min drive. Garbage takes aerosol cans from the house ,so what is the difference? Cans of paint I just put sawdust in it and let it dry up then into the garbage.

Herb

If this helps any. EPA considers discharged aerosol cans as compactable waste. These along with latex type (dried) paint cans can be place in normal trash/garbage receptacles.

 

As an aside, some local waste companies do not want aerosol cans mixed with regular waste if they incinerate (such as power generation). In this situation the cans can "explode" if they are burnt.

 

If there is no vehicle to "collect" the cans then it is perfectly acceptable to throw them into the garbage. Please keep in mind, that, there are several items that should never be thrown into the trash: rechargeable batteries, oil based paint (unless thoroughly cured), fluorescent bulbs, older tube style TVs, old solvents and/or lubricants, etc.

 

Hope this helps.

If water based spray until empty.  Then recycle bin.

If oil based then take to the hazardous recycle facility in the country.

Around here, they take them at curbside recycling.   Empty and without lids or nozzles.

On 7/31/2018 at 7:30 PM, schnewj said:

Please keep in mind, that, there are several items that should never be thrown into the trash: rechargeable batteries, oil based paint (unless thoroughly cured), fluorescent bulbs, older tube style TVs, old solvents and/or lubricants, et

Where I used to live they just threw the fluorescent tubes directly into the garbage trucks letting them break and release the gases. That was on the local level.

On the county level they actually collected the tubes and treated them "with care".

 

just  saying

• Got none in the house BUT, WHEN MOMMY SURPRISES ME WITH A COMMENT OR ORDER, I YELL(TO NO ONE) "BRING THAT RADDLE CAN UP HEAW.  Had to explaine what raddle can was TO'ER, & I COULD PAINT HER REQUEST ON THE WALL.
• GITS A SMILE ONCE N AWHILE.
• No nothing gits painted on the walls!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had 4 florescent T8 tubes the other day that went into a black plastic bag, I hit them with a hammer, they went POP and then into the garbage can and away they went.

Herb

On 7/31/2018 at 4:30 PM, schnewj said:

oil based paint (unless thoroughly cured)

Bill, based on that, is it acceptable by disposal pickup (garbage trucks) for us to put water based paints and finishes in the trash, half full or what have you? Thanks.

9 minutes ago, Dadio said:

I had 4 florescent T8 tubes the other day that went into a black plastic bag, I hit them with a hammer, they went POP and then into the garbage can and away they went.

Herb

I do that too Herb, I let my son pop em, he loves it

14 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Bill, based on that, is it acceptable by disposal pickup (garbage trucks) for us to put water based paints and finishes in the trash, half full or what have you? Thanks.

I can't speak to California laws, rules, restrictions, Props and the like, but here (Indiana) it is OK to do so. The only stipulation is the product/content be fully dried. The general recommendation to do so is open the can, then mix with cat litter until fully absorbed. I use clay based oil dry.

 

http://westcentralswd.com/

Residents are asked not to bring latex paint for disposal as it is water-based and not hazardous. Latex paint should be dried out by mixing with equal parts of cheap kitty litter or sand and set out with your trash once it is in solid form with lid removed.

5 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

The only stipulation is the product/content be fully dried. The general recommendation to do so is open the can, then mix with cat litter until fully absorbed. I use clay based oil dry.

Gramps, thanks a million, I hope our local govt. would be that rational too, one can only hope, I'll have to contact my waste disposal dept.

37 minutes ago, John Morris said:

I do that too Herb, I let my son pop em, he loves it

I thought that in your state it was penalty by firing squad.

 

  When we were in Oregon doing a job the laborers sent 2 half full 5 gal cans of latex paint to the disposal. We got a call to come pick it up and take it back. When I inquired as to how to dipose of it , they said to put some powdered cement in it and stir it up. when set up send it to the disposal. Or the other option was to dump it on the ground and hose it with water until it all runs away.

Herb

Edited October 5, 20187 yr by Dadio