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Disposing of Waste Paint

So, what can you do with your waste paint? Well that depends on: where you live and what kind of paint you are trying to dispose of. The information on this page is primarily for householders in Oxfordshire. Please check with your local council if you live in a different area as other disposal options may be available.

To Bin or Not to Bin...

If your waste paint is still usable, there's no need to throw it away. If you have a local Community RePaint scheme in your area you could donate it for reuse. In 2006 over 208,000 litres of paint were redistributed nationally through this scheme. Orinoco runs Community RePaint Oxfordshire. You can find other schemes by visiting www.communityrepaint.org.uk.

We accept paint free of charge at our main store in Headington (Oxford) during opening hours. We also organise collections from communities and businesses for a fee. If you are interested in organising a paint 'amnesty' in your community, a street collection or a pick-up from your premises contact us.

Community RePaint Oxfordshire

We accept paint that is of usable quantity and quality. Check the list below:

• A usable quantity of low VOC paint (e.g. emulsion) is one litre or more. A usable quantity of high VOC paint (e.g. gloss) is half a litre or more in a small (approximately one litre) container but two litres in a large (five litre) container. We do not accept match pots and samples. [What does VOC mean?]
• Paint must be in it's original container. We will not accept paints that have been mixed together after purchase.
• The paint container must be in good condition with no leaks and a secure fitting lid.
• We do not accept paint that is over ten years old. [What's the problem with old paint?]
• We do not accept paint that has been frost-damaged.
• We do not (in most circumstances) accept hazardous materials [What is a hazardous material?]

Disposal Options

• Low VOC paint can be taken a household recycling centre or placed with your household rubbish for collection if it has first been solidified.
  
  Oxfordshire Council recommend that you solidify your paint by mixing it with soil or sawdust before leaving it to harden with the lid off. Alternatively, we now sell a specialist waste paint hardening compound.
  
  We have found that sawdust works best. The most effective method is to take an old bucket into which you have placed some sawdust and add the paint to it while stirring (a bit like making a white sauce). It is important that the mixture is very stiff. If it is left as a slurry it takes weeks to dry. [What does VOC mean?]
• High VOC paint may be taken to household waste recycling centres where it will be accepted as hazardous waste because of the solvents it contains. Solidifying this kind of paint with the sawdust method is not recommended. [What does VOC mean?]
• Hazardous material may be taken to household waste recycling centres. [What is a hazardous material?]

Waste Paint Hardener

One packet contains enough crystals to harden 2.5 litres of water based or latex paint. Simply add the crystals to the paint, stir until thick and then dispose of in your household rubbish.

Available from the Orinoco scrapstore. It's easy to use, works in minutes, is non toxic and environmentally sound.

Old Paint

There are two reasons for not accepting paint over ten years old: paints of this age have less chance of being usable and such paints pre-date the current VOC and hazardous chemical labelling systems.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic (carbon-based) chemicals that evaporate at room temperatures. VOCs cause air pollution and may be harmful to human health.

The VOC content of paint is now usually indicated on the container. Paint manufacturers have introduced a 5-band classification that describes the VOC content as Minimal, Low, Medium, High or Very High.

Traditionally, emulsions - which use water as solvent have a zero, minimum or low VOC rating while 'oil-based' paints such as glosses, satinwoods, eggshells, varnishes and specialist paints have a medium, high or very high rating. Brush cleaning chemicals are typically rated high or very high.

Today, many modern glosses, eggshells, satinwoods and varnishes are advertised as 'low odour' and, as the name suggests, have medium or low VOC ratings. This is a relatively new development and as a rule of thumb you should assume that any paint of this type is high VOC unless stated otherwise on the container.

Hazardous Waste

Some paints and decorating products, particularly brush cleaning chemicals & specialist finishes, are classed as hazardous waste. Since 2002, such products have been clearly labelled with a CHIP symbol - a black icon in an orange box.

Orinoco will accept some hazardous materials, for example usable quantities of Hammerite paint, unused brush cleaner, etc. but we only have a limited capacity to store these materials. We recommend that you telephone before visiting to avoid disappointment.

You should not add hazardous waste to your household rubbish, pour it down the drain or dispose of it on your property. These materials must be taken to one of the Household Waste Recycling Centres operated by Oxfordshire County Council for appropriate treatment. You can find your nearest centre by visiting www.oxfordshire.gov.uk 

If you are unable to reach one of the designated sites, phone the Council's ChemCollect service on 08450 50 45 50.