If you have finished your decorating project but have leftover paint, you may wonder what the best way to dispose of it is. Paint is unlike regular waste – you can not throw it in the bin or pour it down the drain.
Paint in its liquid form is hazardous, so leftover paint should be disposed of responsibly, and here we look at the best things to do with the paint you no longer need.
Save It
If you have a fair bit of paint left, consider saving it for future use and touch-ups. A half-used tin could harden over time and take up space, so try decanting the paint into smaller vessels for later use, ensuring they are airtight. The original empty paint tins can be disposed of in the usual way and recycled.
Gift It
If you are sure you do not wish to store and keep your leftover paint, you could gift it to a friend, family member or local charity. You could even try local youth centres and places low on funding – you never know, it could be just the colour they need. This is a fantastic way of ensuring your paint does not go to waste. Another option is to list unused paint on local selling pages and offer someone a bargain.
Get Creative
Take a look around your home or office – can anything do with a new burst of life? Perhaps you could upcycle some furniture with the paint? Before you discard leftover paint, consider getting creative with it. Your garage, shed, or garden room may benefit from a new coat, or an old wardrobe may look brand new once painted. Have a quick look online to see which primers and varnishes will boost your paintwork, and pick up those brushes – you could transform a whole room with your leftovers.
When it Has to Go
If you are sure your leftover paint can not be put to good use or donated, the best thing to do is let it harden. This will enable safe disposal within a few days, and then you can bin it responsibly and recycle the paint tins. To solidify the paint, add a paint hardener, sawdust or sand (even cat litter is known to work) and leave the lid off the tin in a ventilated place for a couple of days.
For professional decorating services, contact Flight Decorating on 07769 693 034.
