Paints & Solvents

Hazardous Wastes:

Chemical paint stripping residue is a hazardous waste.
Chips and dust from marine paints or paints containing lead or tributyl tin are hazardous wastes.
Liquid residues from paints, thinners, solvents, glues and cleaning fluids are hazardous wastes.

Disposal of Paints:

Keep all liquid paint products and wastes away from the gutter, street and storm drains. If they are thoroughly dried, empty paint cans, spent brushes, rags and drop cloths may be disposed of as trash.
Paint chips and dust from non-hazardous dry stripping and sand blasting may be swept up and disposed of as trash.
When stripping or cleaning building exteriors with high pressure water, block the storm drains. Wash water onto dirt area, spade into soil, or vacuum up.
Never clean paint brushes or containers into a street gutter, storm drain or waterway. Use water-based paints when possible.
For water-based paints, paint out brushes to the extent possible, and rinse into the sanitary sewer system.
For oil-based paints, paint out brushes to the extent possible and filter and reuse thinners and solvents. Dispose of excess liquids and residue as hazardous waste.
Recycle excess water-based paint, or use completely. Dispose of excess liquid, including sludges, as hazardous waste.
Re-use leftover oil-based paint. Dispose of excess liquid, including sludges, as hazardous waste.
You can dispose unused paints & solvents to the Stanislaus County Hazardous Waste Facility from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm every Friday & Saturday. This facility is located at 1716 Morgan Road, Modesto. Call (209) 525-6700 or (800) 449-4840 for drop off times, locations, or for more information.

REMEMBER

Only Rain Down the Drain!