How To Dispose Of Wood Stain And Paint ( Quicks Hacks)
Pollution is a concept that all citizens of a particular community need to be conscious of so we can all take part in contributing to a safer planet. This isn’t just about the safety for us but also for generations to come. It is mandatory for us to be environment-friendly and know how to dispose of wood stain and paint appropriately because if left exposed on land or water, it will only lead to soil and water pollution which is dangerous to our health.
Wood stain is a kind of stain that serves the primary purpose of beautifying wood including furniture, cabinets, etc. It is a chemical-based product composed of hazardous compounds which is why it is very important to dispose of it the right way. Wood stains, oil-based paints, water-based paints, or wood varnish used to beautify homes are made of many chemical ingredients.
A careless attitude towards their disposal will lead to nothing but environmental pollution. There are disposal regulations in place in most countries. In this article, we addressed the major proper ways and alternative methods of disposing of wood stains and wood paints.
However, it doesn’t just stop at the wood paint content. After application, you are left with what to do with the wood paint container as well as the soaked rag. All proper methods to dispose of them have also been covered in this article.
All at a Glance
Mandatory Waste Management
As a beginner, you may not know the correct amount of wood stain or wood paint you need for your project which will lead to having excess when done with the project. Now, how do you dispose of the wood stain? Research carried out by Environmental Protection Agency discovered that the USA alone produces about 69 gallons of leftover paint, stain, and varnishes every year.
Using this to predict the amount that will be produced yearly globally, it would definitely be more than a few thousand gallons. The accumulation of these leftover wood paints can still be useful for a lot of people. Normally, the disposal of wood stains and wood paints is regulated by all city and community laws, so ensure to be aware of yours so you can take the right step.
No matter what, avoid pouring down the wood stain, wood paint, wall paint, or any kind of paint down the drain. Do not dump it on the ground or leave it in an open space as well.
How to dispose of wood stains and paints
1. Check the label
After the use of wood stain or paint, read the label on the can to know the names of the chemicals in the components. Pen down these chemical names in a notepad before you move on to disposing of the cans. The recycling or disposal procedure is based on the chemical content, so it is important you read the label. In case the label states that it is organic in nature, follow the instructions you read, solidify the content and dispose of it.
2. Call Solid waste and public works department Officials
Waste management department is present in every city. They are in charge of waste disposal and knowledgeable on the necessary measures to take. Contact the waste department and inform them about the content you are dealing with. They will guide you on the necessary protocols regarding disposing of wood stain or wood paint based on the product used.
After the call, follow all discussed guidelines and you will be able to dispose of your wood stain and paints easily. In case you were not able to contact the department or officials, there are other ways you can carry out the task. Check out the rest of the recommendations in this section.
3. Dry it out
If the material you are dealing with is a large quantity of oil-based paint or wood stain, there is a straightforward approach for that. The oil-based paint or stain is only harmful when it is in liquid form, so you can decide to just dry them out and it won’t be regarded as a toxic waste again.
Drying out the wood stain or paint may sound simple but it requires a lot of time. To fasten the process, you can use any regular cat litter to carry out the task. You only need to get some litter and dip it inside the paint container. Due to the hygroscopic nature of all litters, they will quickly get soaked up by the paint or stain as the case may be.
If necessary, add more so you can get a large amount or all the paint absorbed. Then, go ahead and dump it outside the sun for it to dry. Another approach is to use a newspaper. Newspaper will be the best option if the material is in high quantity. It saves cost to use newspaper even though it will suck up your time when it’s trying to absorb the paint.
4. Throw empty cans in the dump
After making sure the paint has been fully absorbed, get rid of the empty cans at a dumpsite for trash. Alternatively, place the cans in a bag and throw them as a whole in the trash.
5. Reach out to a non-profit disposal organization
There are various non-profit organizations concerned with the disposal of wood stains and paints and other kinds of paint solvents. These are regarded as hazardous household waste and many organizations’ target is to collect them.
You will seek information so you can know of a nearby organization. Contact them and they will come to your house to have them. You are not required to make any payment for this, it is your choice to make donations to them in form of cash. They sometimes mix the paint with other fuel and used it as a source of energy for the use of various kinds of plants. In some cases, these organizations donate useful ones to charitable groups that need them for free.
6. Drop it off at recycling companies
If what you are dealing with is water-based paint or latex paint, consider dropping them off at a nearby recycling company. The paint can be used again if it hasn’t degraded in value.
7. Take up another project
This is another beautiful option you can consider. You may decide to keep the remaining wood stain or paint after while making sure their caps are tightly fixed. You can check in with your neighbors and friends to inquire if they will be in need of the paint and probably help them with the project.
Also Reads: Best Paint Sprayer for oil-based paint
How to dispose of empty stain containers
If your chosen disposal procedure is to dry out the product, you may be wondering what to do with the empty can. Probably you’ve used up all the content but there are remains at the sides of the container.
- Get rid of the stain container top and place it outside in the sun for it to dry.
- Once dry, the stain is no more hazardous. This means you can easily dispose of it in the trash. If your city has certain regulations on how to dispose of metal cans, ensure to follow that.
- Leave the top of the stain container open in case you place it with your other trash collection so your collector can easily tell it is empty and dry. Clean stains off your hand and arms after you are done.
Government in some localities have regulations on certain days of the year residents can dispose of hazardous household items like wood stain. You may need to store your empty cans until the stipulated day. You can decide to mark the date on your calendar. So you don’t miss it.
How to dispose of wood stain soaked rags
After you are done with your painting project, the next question on your mind might be what to do with the soaked rags. Due to the fact that oil-based stains often contain a solvent that gives off heat as they dry, disposing of soaked rags by dumping them in a container may lead to a combustion hazard.
But once the liquid is dry, the risk of spontaneous combustion has been waved. The right way to dispose of wood-stain soaked rags is to simply hang them or lay on the ground and leave them to dry. Once dry, you can drop them in your trash can.
In some cases, the rags may continue to still emit smell and VOCs even after dried. Due to health risks associated with VOCs, especially in a less ventilated space, it is advisable to dry your rags outside. Dispose of trash cans containing the rag as soon as possible.
Conclusion: How To Dispose Of Wood Stain And Paint
Now, that you have learned the procedures of how to dispose of wood stains and paints, make sure to follow them. It is crucial that we make the planet conducive for the next generation by following the necessary procedures of disposing of wood stains and paints already covered in this article on how to dispose of wood stain and paint.
A safe planet is our right, let’s join hands together to work towards achieving just that. Happy reading!
