Paint is essentially three things: a pigment, which gives the paint color; a liquid base (sometimes called a binder) that holds the paint together, and a solvent that creates the paint’s emulsion. The type of liquid is the biggest difference between types of paint, how they need to be stored, and your paint disposal options when it comes to getting rid of unused or damaged products. Today we’re going to cover the three major types: acrylics, latex, and oil-based paints, their pros and cons, and your paint disposal options when using them. [Read more…]
Can Old Arts and Crafts Supplies Be Hazardous Waste?
Everyone likes arts and crafts, from Elmer’s glue and popsicle sticks to peak-preforming hobbyist paints and glazes. But many of these products, especially old ones, can contain hazardous chemicals that need to be handled during use, storage, and disposal. Today, let’s look at using, storing, and disposing of arts and crafts materials and how reading the labels and taking appropriate precautions is vital to keeping this hoppy fun – especially with old arts and crafts supplies. [Read more…]
Is Latex Paint Damaged When Frozen?
Alongside accepting other household hazardous products, we also accept latex paint at our collection centers. While not the hazard of oil-based paints, latex paint still cannot typically be thrown in the trash or dumped down the drain. While the best option is to reuse this paint (or give it away), are there situations where that isn’t possible? Is latex paint damaged when frozen, or even destroyed? Let’s look at what happens to this paint when frozen, how you can prevent it, and what to do with useless latex paint. [Read more…]
Can You Dispose of Household Batteries in the Trash?
We use batteries on a daily basis at home. In portable electronics like your phone, in the vehicle in your garage, in the smoke detector, your watch – the list goes on. However, we don’t think too much about these electronic marvels until they stop working, then it’s either time to recharge them or replace them with fresh batteries. But once you’ve got that battery out, what do you do with it? You can dispose of household batteries, but not all can be disposed of at home. Know the differences and the dangers. [Read more…]
Dealing with Oil-Based Paints and Stains – Storage and Disposal
As one of the most common household hazardous products inside homes in America and definitely the top item brought into our collections centers in Massachusetts, paint represents a problem for homes. Leftover paint from projects and painting the house gather dust, chemically break down, freeze, and pose fire hazards. Today, let’s talk about dealing with oil-based paints and stains, including what makes them toxic, how to store and handle them, and how to dispose of them. [Read more…]
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