Posted By STEPHEN HOLDEN We are having trouble disposing of empty paint cans, even though they have been cleaned prior to skipping. Any views gratefully received.

Posted By Paul Bellis Paint has to be disposed of as "special waste" - before you dispose of the contents try re-cycling, local schools and colleges sometimes will take it off your hands if it is still usable. It depends also where you live some companies such as Community Re Paint Merseyside collects usable domestic paint (in original container) for redistribution to community groups throughout Merseyside. They will collect emulsion, gloss, eggshell, undercoat, primer, masonry paint and exterior paint. They cannot accept car, aerosol, or cellulose based paint. Call 0151 480 9420. _ but I doubt they will travel very far to collect. Also Chemcycle Environmental Management Limited are a professional recycling and disposal company that offer a wide range of services including paint Contact Information Telephone 01685 386897 FAX 01685 385393 Postal address 20 Castell Morlais, Pontsticill, Merthyr Tydfil. CF48 2YB Electronic mail General Information: info@chemcycle.co.uk Because paint and solvents are complex in nature, it is very hard to determine what is hazardous and what is not hazardous.Therefore, landfills, prohibit them altogether. Household hazardous waste collections are another outlet for leftover paint and solvents. Actual disposal can be made much easier by knowing what is hazardous and nonhazardous. TYPES OF PAINTS AND SOLVENTS Two major types of paint and solvents are commonly sold . These are latex paints and solvent-based paints. A detailed description of both is described below: Latex Paint - A paint in which the volatile vehicle (the part of the paint that evaporates) is water. The water used is essentially nontoxic, and other materials are present in such small amounts they do not present demonstrable toxicity. Latex paint is not considered a hazardous waste. Solvent-based Paint - A paint in which the volatile vehicle is organic solvents. Solvents include mineral spirits, alcohols, acetates, and aliphatic solvents. Solvent-based paint contains material considered toxic. LATEX PAINT DISPOSAL Latex paint comprises approximately 75 to 80 percent of paint and solvents used. Latex paint is nonhazardous and can bedisposed in the regular rubbish under certain circumstances. It does not have to be stored exclusively for household hazardous waste collections. Appropriate disposal steps are described below: Disposal Options: Pour unused latex paint into an absorbent material, such as cat box filler, shredded newspaper or sawdust, then dispose of the material in the regular rubbish. Remove lid and let paint dry completely and dispose of dried material in the regular waste. SOLVENT BASED PAINT DISPOSAL Solvent based paint products require special handling. They are toxic and ignitable in nature. These products should not be disposed in the regular waste or emptied into sewers, household drains or onto the ground. Appropriate disposal steps are described below: Disposal Options: Use paint completely up, paint over old newspaper, cardboard, or any other appropriate disposable material, then dispose of it in the regular rubbish. -but this wil take a LONG TIME Save solvent-based paints for a household hazardous waste program. other than that -put an advert in the paper free paint to collector? empty paint tins if cleaned of content should not be an issue, but check with your local authority waste collection service - they will have an advice line for such items hope that helps!