How can my auto collision shop discard or recycle 100s of semi-empty auto paint cans?? 'CAN't figure it out.

Question

We own and operate a auto/body shop out of Smyrna, Ga. I believe we keep a pretty neat and organized garage & work area...except for this one tall rack of Automotive Paint Cans. Some cans are empty, some are 1/4 full. Where or who will re- cycle these? Must I remove labels? Empty contents? help us!

Answer 1

In Australia our local Municipal Councils have to offer businesses a fee-subsidised disposal service. I know that this does not happen in many areas of the US but you should start to lobby for it. Otherwise people will be tempted to dispose of the waste in unsafe ways. Then it will end up in your ground water and landfill. These paint chemicals are amongst the most dangerous in common use, linked to liver cancer and childhood cancers like leukaemia.

Our business owners pay a fee to the Council for the disposal but it is in no way equal to the commercial cost of the disposal. It is assumed that since the business owners already pay land taxes that they have contributed already to the cost of disposal.

It is a federal requirement that all local Councils provide this service and the Council or the Council Manager can be dismissed if they fail to do so. US business owners need to tell their congressmen that these services are needed or the cost of disposing of such waste will ruin otherwise good businesses.

In the meantime there is bound to be a specialst chemical disposal business in your state. They really are the only people who are qualified to dispose of these cans, as their contents is so toxic .

Answer 2

There is a website called "Freecycle" Maybe someone could use the leftover cans for something else and/or the paint! The cans, aluminum or steel can be recycled if clean. Wait a minute...are they pressurized spray cans? That's a diff story. Safety you know! Call the local waste disposal co. & ask them.

Answer 3

Remove the tops, let them dry out, and discard with normal trash.

That is the official guidance.

See:

http://thegogreenblog.com/tip-of-the-wee...

Answer 4

As someone said, Open the cans and let the paint dry out.  This is a totally bogus way to get rid of left-over paint.  Call your local fire department and see if they will help you.  There are companies that specialize in toxic waste removal.  They are pretty expensive, though.  Google Toxic waste removal.