Posted on 20th May 2021 by Hintons
Whether you’re redecorating, looking to redesign the outside of your home or simply want to give your garden shed a spruce up, painting is used in all manner of DIY projects.
But what do you do with leftover paint once you’re finished with it?
When thinking about the disposal of old paint tins, many people might consider tossing them in a skip. It makes sense, right? After all, leftover paint is often a product of construction or building work.
Despite this, you must never dispose of paint in a skip. Paint is classed as hazardous waste – something that skips, by law, cannot take.
In this month’s article, we’ll outline how to responsibly deal with paint disposal.
What happens if I put paint in a skip?
Hazardous waste, such as paint, is defined by the government as a substance that can cause harm to humans or the environment. Other substances that fall into this category include electrical equipment, batteries, gas cylinders and more.
If you do put paint or other hazardous waste into a skip, then you could face criminal charges, a hefty fine and your skip company may even refuse to remove the skip until you’ve properly disposed of it.
Even paint tins that are completely empty are still considered ‘hazardous’, so don’t be fooled into thinking this will be ok. Luckily, empty paint tins are fully recyclable and your local recycling centre will be happy to take them off your hands.
How can I dispose of paint responsibly?
When it comes to old paint disposal, the first thing you need to do is to wait for the paint to harden. This is because wet paint can easily spill and cause problems, and the toxic chemicals in the paint can contaminate the environment if placed in landfill.
You can speed up the hardening process by adding sand, soil or sawdust to the paint and, once this has been completed, you can dispose of it at most local recycling centres.
However, a great way to get rid of your unwanted paint while not letting it go to waste is to donate it. One scheme that rehomes old paint is RePaint. Most local communities have a RePaint scheme in place which donates leftover paints to families, individuals and charities who are in need of it but may not be able to afford it.
Another good idea is to speak to your friends and family and see if anyone wants it. Giving it away or donating it is always a better alternative than throwing it away.
Plus, if you have a paint tin that is unopened, you can always return it to the place you purchased it from.
While you can’t dispose of paint in skips, there are plenty of things you can discard in them and at Hinton’s we can assist with skip hire that come in a whole host of sizes. As well as this, our team can provide you with concrete, aggregates and grab hire services. For more information, contact our team today.