Safe Paint Disposal
Never clean brushes or rinse paint into a street gutter or drain
- All paint contains chemicals that may be harmful to life in our waterways
- Once these pollutants have found their way into the stormwater system, via street gutters and drains, they are extremely difficult to trap and remove
- Following these easy tips will ensure paint pollutants do not get into our stormwater system and harm our rivers and creeks.
Buy only as much paint as you need
- Measure the area you intend to paint
- Four litres of the average acrylic (water-based) paint will normally cover one medium-sized room per coat
- If you are unsure how much paint you will need, ask the salesperson for advice so you won't be left with excess paint.
Clean up after using water-based paints
- Return as much paint as possible from the brushes, trays and rollers back into the paint tin for future use
- Paint out any excess paint onto an absorbent material such as an old rag or newspaper. Allow paint to dry, then dispose of with the rest of your household waste
- Use one container of water to clean your brush and another container to rinse it. Leave the first container overnight to allow the paint solids to settle to the bottom. In the morning pour the water onto your raingarden or any grassed area in your garden where it can be absorbed into the ground. Use an old rag or piece of newspaper and wipe out the solids from the bucket. Allow to dry before putting in the garbage. Water from the second container, which you have used for rinsing can be poured onto your raingarden or garden immediately.
Clean up after using oil-based paints
- As with water-based paints, return as much paint as possible from the brushes, rollers and trays to the paint tin for future use
- Paint out excess paint onto absorbent material such as old newspapers and allow to dry. Dispose of newspapers with household waste
- Take special care in cleaning brushes and equipment to use the least possible amount of solvent (e.g. turps) and remember that used solvent can be retained in a secure and properly labelled container for future use
- When the paint tin is empty, leave the lid off and allow the excess paint to become a dry residue. This residue can be scraped out and disposed of in your normal household rubbish.
Dispose excess paint and old paint tins
- Before you throw paint away, make sure it can't be used elsewhere around the house
- If you have a lot of paint left over consider giving it to a neighbour, friend or local community group
- You can dispose excess paint and paint tins through your Council waste and recycling service or find a Detox Your Home Site near you.
Store left over paint for future touch-ups
- Storing left over paint for future touch-ups around the home is a good idea as long as it is stored correctly
- Seal the lid securely and store the paint upside down which creates an air proof seal around the lid
- Store away from extreme heat or cold and the paint can be kept for years
- Remember to always keep paint out of reach of small children and pets.