How do I safely dispose of
paint and chemicals?
Emma Littlewood
How do I safely dispose of paint and
chemicals?
This is a question that crops up again and again – and not knowing the
correct way to throw away unwanted paint or chemicals often leads people
to guiltily toss them in with the general rubbish, or worse, down the drain –
believing that the sewage plant will be able to remove them, perhaps not
even knowing that the drain’s not a good hazardous waste destination.
The truth is that after treatment in a sewage plant, water is discharged into
rivers, lakes and streams. Most municipal systems rely on bacteria or other
organisms to decompose the waste. Some hazardous household waste can
pass through the system unchanged and thus pollute the water
downstream, and some chemicals can also corrode the plumbing or collect
in the trap and release potentially toxic fumes through the drains.
It is illegal to pour chemicals or detergents into a storm drain. The storm
sewer system which is where most open street drains lead, usually sends
rainwater directly to the receiving lake or river completely untreated.
In most UK cities and in the countryside the drainage and sewerage systems
are separated, but in much of London, the drainage and sewerage systems
are combined. This means that a lot of the dirty water that goes down storm
drains is actually taken to the sewage works for cleaning before being
returned to the Thames. But when rain is heavy, the system becomes
overfull, and raw sewage over ows through storm drains into the river. This
sewage is mixed with other pollutants such as oil from the roads and can be
a deadly mixture. Pouring chemicals and paint down either the storm drain
or into a household drain means that a highly toxic concoction reaches the
Thames River, poisoning aquatic life and harming our environment.
Disposing of Oil-based Paint, Chemicals and Solvents
For businesses:
How do I safely dispose of paint and chemicals?
How do I safely dispose of paint and
chemicals?
Never dispose of liquid oil-based paint or solvents in your residual bin and
never pour them down the sink, sewer or storm drain.
Unused good-quality paint can be donated it to a local project via this
nationwide scheme - Community Repaint is a network of paint donation
schemes; nd your nearest scheme on their website. Please note: Only
usable paint suitable for domestic application can be accepted. They are
unable to accept oil-based glosses, satinwoods, eggshells, primers or
undercoats which have the orange high-VOC symbolar paint, aerosols & spray
paints, paint over 10 years old, paint containing lead or paint that is not in its
original container.
Find a licensed hazardous waste mover in your area on
the Environment Agency register
If you are based in London, the City of London authority operates a
commercial hazardous waste collection and disposal service for most
London Boroughs. Chemicals and paint tins must be put into cardboard
boxes for collection. Apply for a quote on 020 7332 3433 or email
[email protected]
For householders:
Ring your local authority’s waste department to organise a collection, some
of which are free and some of which incur a fee - find your service here
For London residents, the City of London authority operates a household
hazardous waste collection and disposal service for residents on behalf of
most of the London Boroughs.
How do I safely dispose of paint and chemicals?
How do I safely dispose of paint and
chemicals?
You are entitled to three collections of 50L of containers per rolling
year.
Chemicals and paint tins must be put into cardboard boxes for
collection.
Phone 020 7332 3433.
Community Repaint is a network of paint donation schemes; nd your
nearest scheme on their website. Please note: Only usable paint suitable for
domestic application can be accepted. They are unable to accept oil-based glosses,
satinwoods, eggshells, primers or undercoats which have the orange high-VOC
symbolar paint, aerosols & spray paints, paint over 10 years old, paint containing
lead or paint that is not in its original container.
Disposing of Water-Based Paint
Liquid paint should not be put into a residual bin, in a skip, or poured down
a sink. Use the following method when disposing of water-based paints:
For paint residue in a tin:
(1) Remove the lid and allow to dry completely. (2) Remove the skin and
dispose of it in residual bin. (3) Recycle the tin.
For excess paint:
(1) Fill a paper bag or box with sand or sawdust (cat litter will also do, and
paint hardeners are available at DIY shops). (2) Pour the remaining paint
over the absorbent material. (3) Allow to dry completely in a well-ventilated
area away from direct heat - preferably outside but in a locked or
safeguarded area (i.e. away from animals and children) (4) Dispose of the
solid waste in your residual bin.
How do I safely dispose of paint and chemicals?
How do I safely dispose of paint and
chemicals?
Community Repaint is a network of paint donation schemes; nd your
nearest scheme on their website. Please note: Only usable paint suitable for
domestic application can be accepted. They are unable to accept oil-based glosses,
satinwoods, eggshells, primers or undercoats which have the orange high-VOC
symbolar paint, aerosols & spray paints, paint over 10 years old, paint containing
lead or paint that is not in its original container.
Washing your equipment
Do not wash paint residue down a storm drain, as it will usually ow directly
into rivers and lakes untreated. If paint utensils and materials are being
washed in a sink connected to the main sewerage, the residue water may be
classed as trade e uent and need a trade e uent licence. Check with the
local water company if authorisation is required.
The Water Industry Act 1991
The Water Industry Act 1991 regulates discharges to the foul sewerage
system and makes it an o ence to discharge trade e uent to a public foul
sewer or a private foul sewer that connects to a public sewer, without prior
consent.
Trade e uent is de ned as liquid waste discharged from premises being
used for a business, trade or industry, except domestic sewage and clean
uncontaminated water.
How do I safely dispose of paint and chemicals?