How can I recycle old paint, old cans of spray paint, old household chemicals left behind from prev owner?

Question

How can I recycle old paint, old cans of spray paint, old household chemicals left behind from prev owner?

Answer 1

Check your local sanitation department.  My county has a local drop off site for those kind of items.

Isn't it so sad that previous owners do that to their buyers.  My seller left me 40 years of old paint and household junk like that.  You would think they would be happy to have a buyer in today's market and not s***w them in such a way.  Another sign of how selfish society has become.

Answer 2

There is a good chance that your local Council will have a facility at the recycling point. Our Council gives it out to Community Groups in need

Answer 3

Every county has a hazardous waste collection site somewhere. Check with your local government to find out where that is. Some counties will advertise that they're collecting materials at a specific location. Just load up your car, and drive on over.

Answer 4

Check your local municipality.  In Broward County FL, you can take all of that stuff to them and they recycle.  They actually recycle the paint and give it back to county residents.  They only offer 4 colors, but it is free external decent paint.  They also take batteries and old TV's and really all kinds of chemicals.

With the environment we live in today, many municipalities are jumping on the "green" train.  These kinds of programs are becoming more and more available.

If you have latex paint, you are allowed to dispose of it in the trash AS LONG AS YOU ALLOW IT TO DRY.  Just open the can and leave it out until the latex turns into a solid.  then you can just throw it away.

Answer 5

Like others said your county/city may have a household hazardous waste collection site where you can drop off the items. I live in a rural area and we don't have such a luxury but the state comes through once a year to do a collection. If you do have a local drop off, http://www.earth911.org might have it listed. Check there, then check your city/county recycling, sanitation, or public works departments.

Oh, another option is calling up a Habitat for Humanity or similar charity or Reuse store....sometimes they take old paint (not the chemicals though).

Answer 6

Call 311 or visit bluecartschicago.org to find locations for household hazardous waste, including paint.