Mark J Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Any suggestions on how to dispose of old cans of finish (stain, varnish, paint)? Here, you're not supposed to put it out with the trash unless it is dried out. But the local gov, in it's infinite benevolence (or is that malevolence) doesn't give any other guidance nor provide another disposal method. I can take the stuff to the hardware store and pay per quart for disposal. Local requirements will no doubt vary, but I'm looking for an idea better than leaving the lids off and waiting 6 months for them to harden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ_Engineer Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 A number of municipalities have drop-off locations where household hazardous waste can be dropped off free of charge for residents. Others will often run a day once or twice a year where you can drop things off. If it takes too long for the can to dry out you can always pour it out onto cardboard or something and let that dry. That's what I do for excess paint if I don't want to run the cans to the drop-off location. The one in my town (Omaha) let's folks come in and pick through what was dropped off for free prior to eventual disposal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Our local landfills have drop-offs for old paint etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Found this (google): https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/environmental_permitsregulation/svcs/household-chemicals---computer-recycling-facilitiy-overview.html They take oil-based paints and solvents, but not latex paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Get some large cardboard boxes, put a layer of sawdust in each and pour the paint in. Let it dry and the throw away. Spray thinners to evaporate them quickly or pour in a shallow pan to evaporate. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted September 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 8 minutes ago, Immortan D said: Found this (google): https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/environmental_permitsregulation/svcs/household-chemicals---computer-recycling-facilitiy-overview.html They take oil-based paints and solvents, but not latex paint. Thanks for that tip. I wonder if they will give me any crap 'cause I'm from the suburbs. But worth a try, not too far from where I work. And what is it about latex paint? you'd think the stuff was made from spent plutonium. 7 minutes ago, wdwerker said: Get some large cardboard boxes, put a layer of sawdust in each and pour the paint in. Let it dry and the throw away. Spray thinners to evaporate them quickly or pour in a shallow pan to evaporate. ..and it gets rid of some saw dust, too. 17 minutes ago, drzaius said: Our local landfills have drop-offs for old paint etc OK, I admit it. Canada is better, and your money is more fun, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 4 minutes ago, Mark J said: And what is it about latex paint? you'd think the stuff was made from spent plutonium. LOL they have a page for that and it's somehow hilarious (https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdph/supp_info/how_to_dispose_oflatexpaint.html): How to Dispose of Latex Paint There’s an easier way to dispose of leftover latex paint. The Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility is no longer accepting latex paint because of its high disposal cost and very low environmental impact. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency encourages residents to safely dispose of old or unwanted latex paint on their own. Here’s what you can do with your leftover latex paint: Keep painting: Save leftover paint for a new project or paint scrap lumber or cardboard. Let the empty paint can dry, then throw it away.Dry it up: Add kitty litter, shredded paper or sawdust to absorb the remaining paint in the can, or pour the paint into a bag. After it dries, throw the bag or absorbant material and paint can away.Donate it: Ask friends and neighbors if they need paint for a small project. Local schools or theater groups sometimes look for free paint for sets and art projects.Store it: Save the leftover paint for touch-ups in the future. To prevent the paint from drying out, wrap the can’s lid with plastic wrap, making sure the lid fits on securely and doesn’t leak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 OK, I admit it. Canada is better, and your money is more fun, too! Right on, Mark. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 I put mine in a black plastic bag with yard trimmings ( nothing inside that has my address) and set it out on garbage day. Just kidding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chestnut Posted September 22, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Oddly these regulations have more to do with the safety of the sanitation workers then any sort of feel good environmental effect. Almost all major landfills in use today have to adhere to the EPA subtitle D regulations for construction and maintenance of landfills. They are all more or less sealed from contaminating the environment. I have some landfill liner in my garage from one of the projects i worked on. 60 Mil HDPE is fun stuff. Fires in the back of garbage trucks on the other hand is very dangerous. I'm not saying to to make you be careless on the other hand be diligent because the people that collect your trash deal with nasty and hazardous stuff every day. They get paid poorly and i feel like are generally looked down upon. They should be included in the group "American heroes" in my opinion. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 2 hours ago, Mark J said: OK, I admit it. Canada is better, and your money is more fun, too! There are those that will tell you it's a myth, but our $100 bills smell like maple syrup. True story. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Cut up some old cardboard boxes and lay them out. Pour the finish on the cardboard so it flows out thin. It'll generally dry in a day or two. Throw in the trash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 I use the kitty litter method for unusable leftover paints/stains. I pour "soiled" solvents on my burn pile and let them evaporate. Then I burn the pile at a later date. Alternatively, many community recycling centers have a hazardous chemical drop-off program. There are also commercial products intended to dry up latex paint so you can quickly be done with it (like this.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 In the UK we are heavily into recycling. It's illegal to dump engine oil, paint, finishes and varnishes etc but the local household dump/recycling centre lets you leave it for free. The oil is recovered, cleaned and returned to its original use, or recycled as a fuel oil for industrial use. Paint/varnish that can still be used is recycled by adding a few additives and maybe colours, fine filtered and repackaged. The hardened paint is apparently used in cement manufacturing. Not sure about hardened varnish though but somebody may have come up with a use for it. The vast majority of chemical waste like this no longer goes into landfill in the UK. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 55 minutes ago, TerryMcK said: In the UK we are heavily into recycling. It's illegal to dump engine oil, paint, finishes and varnishes etc but the local household dump/recycling centre lets you leave it for free. The oil is recovered, cleaned and returned to its original use, or recycled as a fuel oil for industrial use. Paint/varnish that can still be used is recycled by adding a few additives and maybe colours, fine filtered and repackaged. The hardened paint is apparently used in cement manufacturing. Not sure about hardened varnish though but somebody may have come up with a use for it. The vast majority of chemical waste like this no longer goes into landfill in the UK. FWIW we're not that far behind here. Most municipalities have clauses for household quantities anything beyond that is considered commercial and is recycled in the manner you described. The only reason that the household quantities exists is because it would be an unjust financial burden for rural areas to have to ship most things to an urban recycling center. Recycling isn't self sufficient yet most operations operate at a loss and are subsidized in one way or another. I also live in rural McHicksville and I'm sure more urban areas are more sophisticated then we are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 The municipal recycling/public works has free disposal of things like paint on Saturday. I generally take the lid off and let stuff dry out and just throw in trash. Our trash guys are excellent and they tell me not to waste my time drying, but I still do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted September 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 3 hours ago, TerryMcK said: In the UK we are heavily into recycling. It's illegal to dump engine oil, paint, finishes and varnishes etc but the local household dump/recycling centre lets you leave it for free. The oil is recovered, cleaned and returned to its original use, or recycled as a fuel oil for industrial use. Paint/varnish that can still be used is recycled by adding a few additives and maybe colours, fine filtered and repackaged. The hardened paint is apparently used in cement manufacturing. Not sure about hardened varnish though but somebody may have come up with a use for it. The vast majority of chemical waste like this no longer goes into landfill in the UK. That's pretty cool Terry. I don't know, Shane, Dr.Z., the British may have something on Canada here. I'm looking at the open can solution for small amounts and cat liter for bigger quantities. I'll see how that works before looking for a dump, but it's interesting to see how other regions manage this problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wtnhighlander Posted September 23, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 I think we should all mix our leftover finishes 50/50 with sawdust and pack the mix into Eric's unused Systainers. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted September 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 Here's a footnote or two. Left a can of urethane varnish that is about 4/5 empty, open for the last 3 or 4 days. Still not dry. (NOW you know if I was in between coats on a project and had forgotten to close that can, it would have been rock solid the next day). Found some cardboard box lids perfect to spill out old finish to dry. Had this half pint can of ancient shellac I had never opened. It was at least 25 years old. Figured this was a good place to start. I barely touched the thing with the paint can opener when the lid exploded off spewing shellac all over me. That was fun. I guess the take home there is be careful with old cans containing any kind of volatile solvent. Fortunately I was able to get the shellac off me with rubbing alcohol (emphasis on a lot of rubbing), but I did loose a favorite T-shirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 With the heat this summer opening a can of anything solvent based can cause splatter if the can was last closed when temperatures were much lower. I bet if you put the can in the fridge for a few minutes it might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted September 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 The can had been in the basement, but for 25 years. I took it outside to open, but it wasn't out there but a few minutes. I wonder if after a couple of decades the shellac, which is after all organic material, had just decayed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 6 hours ago, Mark J said: The can had been in the basement, but for 25 years. I took it outside to open, but it wasn't out there but a few minutes. I wonder if after a couple of decades the shellac, which is after all organic material, had just decayed. I have trouble with four year old shellac even wanting to cure. At 25 years the alcohol has likely converted all of the shellac into new material. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurricane Dry Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 On 9/23/2016 at 7:14 AM, TerryMcK said: In the UK we are heavily into recycling. It's illegal to dump engine oil, paint, finishes and varnishes etc but the local household dump/recycling centre lets you leave it for free. The oil is recovered, cleaned and returned to its original use, or recycled as a fuel oil for industrial use. Paint/varnish that can still be used is recycled by adding a few additives and maybe colours, fine filtered and repackaged. The hardened paint is apparently used in cement manufacturing. Not sure about hardened varnish though but somebody may have come up with a use for it. The vast majority of chemical waste like this no longer goes into landfill in the UK. Are you sure they aren't just telling you all that while they really just send it all to the Embassy of Ecuador? Remember, Soylent Green is People. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 1 hour ago, Hurricane Dry said: Are you sure they aren't just telling you all that while they really just send it all to the Embassy of Ecuador? Remember, Soylent Green is People. I'm sure somebody knows what you mean, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 On 9/22/2016 at 5:12 PM, Chestnut said: They get paid poorly and i feel like are generally looked down upon. They should be included in the group "American heroes" in my opinion. I totally agree about respecting them. Our local driver (weekly curbside pickup) is the nicest guy. fwiw, according to the interweb in 2015 Chicago sanitation laborers (I assume this includes the drivers) made over $73K/yr. This is more than a lot of the teachers and cops make where I live. The point about fires and safety is a good one - I never thought of that. I've seen fires in trash compactors, and they seem to just burn forever. I would imagine a garbage truck would be similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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