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Paint Disposal and Hazardous Waste

QUICK GUIDE:

How to Dispose of Paint (Latex and Oil-based) and Hazardous Waste

LATEX PAINT: The Department of Public Works accepts dried-out latex and water-based paint in your regular trash.

How do I prepare latex paint for disposal?

All residual/leftover latex and water-based paint must be hardened or dried. Be sure it’s latex paint or stain! Look on the label for the word “latex,” or for directions to clean up or thin with water. Once the latex paint has hardened or solidified, place the can with the lid off in your trash cart. The trash crew needs to see that the paint has been solidified.

To dry cans less than 1/4 full:

  • Remove the lid.
  • Place the can in a safe, well-ventilated area.
  • Can contents will dry in a few days.
  • Follow the trash instructions below.

To dry cans more than 1/4 full:

  • Protect your work surface by lining it with old newspaper.
  • Add waste paint hardener to paint can. One packet generally treats up to one gallon of unwanted latex or water-based paint.
  • Mulch, kitty litter, or shredded paper may also be used as a bulking/drying agent, but will take longer to solidify paint.
  • Stir and mix thoroughly.
  • Set aside for 30 minutes. At the end of that time, paint will have a tacky, oatmeal-like consistency, but will not spill out.
  • Follow trash instructions below.

Once cans are dried out:

  • Remove lids from cans
  • Put both lids and cans in with your regular household trash.

OIL-BASED PAINT: Oil-based paint is defined as household hazardous waste. See below for instructions on disposal of household hazardous waste.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is any product labeled as toxic, poisonous, corrosive, flammable, combustible, or an irritant that when disposed of improperly poses a threat to human health and the environment. Common HHW products can be found under the sink, in closets, workrooms, basements, tool sheds and garages. HHW materials should not be placed in the trash, poured down the drain or into storm drains, or burned.

The Prince George’s County Household Hazardous Waste Acceptance Site provides Prince George’s County citizens and residents with an opportunity to properly dispose of their home-generated hazardous waste. Materials should be brought to the site in their original containers or packaging. Location: Brown Station Landfill, 11611 White House Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 on household hazardous waste days which are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 am-3:30 pm. County residents must present valid identification in the form of a driver’s license and/or vehicle registration. Non-commercial vehicles only.

Acceptable HHW that the County accepts: Poisons, Cooking Oil, Fire Extinguishers, Gas Grill Propane Tanks, Cleaning Agents, Solvents, Varnishes and Stains, Oil-Based Paint, Acid Car Batteries, Helium Balloon Tanks, Household Batteries, Insecticides, Herbicides and Fertilizers, Automotive Fluids and Fuels, Driveway Sealers, and Swimming Pool Chemicals.

Unacceptable HHW: Commercial, Industrial or Medical Waste, Radioactive Materials, Asbestos, Explosives, Large Oxygen and CO2 Tanks, and Large Propane Gas Tanks.