A Guide to Paint Disposal
Classified as hazardous waste, it’s important that paint is disposed of responsibly to protect our health, the wildlife and the environment. However, it can be difficult to know exactly what to do with leftover paint – good and bad. Woodford Recycling is on hand to help you decide what to do with your surplus paint. Whether you take it to be recycled or give it away to a friend, there are plenty of options for the safe paint disposal.
Why does paint have to be disposed of through a recycling centre?
If your paint is still good to use, then save it for future use. You may need it to touch-up a wall if it has been scuffed or damaged, so make sure you keep it, even if it’s a tiny amount. Always store it upright and away from children – take care when stacking as it could do some damage should the tower topple.
If your paint has gone bad, then the paint itself should be disposed of responsibly. To do this, take it to your local recycling centre – ones nearby include:
March Waste Recycling Centre
St Neots Waste Recycling Centre
PCC Household Waste Recycling Centre (for those living in Peterborough)
Alconbury Waste Recycling Centre (for those living in Huntingdon)
Bourne Recycling Centre (for those living in Stamford)
Bluntisham Recycling Centre (for those living in St Ives)
Why should I take my paint to a recycling centre?
You cannot dispose of paint in a skip, which is why you should take it to a recycling centre. But why is this necessary? Woodford Recycling can help! Paint contains chemicals and other substances which can be hazardous to ecosystems when disposed of irresponsibly. It can also contaminate other items which we would otherwise recycle, particularly if you put paint in a skip (which again, you must not do).
What should I do with my empty paint cans?
Where metal cans are widely recycled by many recycling centres, others may not be able to recycle plastic ones. You should check with your local council as to whether or not a particular centre will recycle plastic paint containers. If not, ask for advice about what you can do to dispose of them responsibly – it may be that the recycling centre can dispose of them, but they will not be recycled.
Are there alternatives to paint disposal?
You can keep good paint for future use, or ask friends, family or neighbours whether they need any paint for home improvements. There are also plenty of organisations who would put your old paint to good use. Community RePaint has a network of over 75 schemes across the UK who will be able to take your surplus paint off your hands. They will then make the paint available to the community who are in need of home renovations, but do not have the funds to buy materials themselves.
You must never pour your paint down the drain, as this can cause blockages and damages to pipework. Paint can only be put in the household bin if you have an extremely small amount of paint left which has been brushed onto a scrap of card or paper. The paint must fully harden before placing in the bin.
Can I put paint in a skip?
No, paint must never be placed in a skip or any household waste receptacle and that goes for every item or substance which would be harmful or hazardous to our health, wildlife or the environment. As well as paint, other items which must never be placed in a skip include:
- Electrical equipment
- Asbestos
- Tyres
- Fluorescent tubes
- White goods
- Plasterboard
- Batteries
- Medical waste
- Gas cylinders
- Solvents
- Liquids
- Oil
- Petrol
- Diesel
- Explosives
Woodford Recycling are proud to be able to offer hazardous waste disposal to those residing in Cambridge, Peterborough, Huntingdon, Stamford, St Ives and the surrounding areas. Whether you need us to dispose of paint, paint cans, aerosols and more, look no further than Woodford Recycling. For more information about the waste materials we’re able to take, get in touch with a member of our team today – we’re always happy to help.
