How should you dispose of leftover exterior paint?

However, paint does not last forever, and sometimes you have a color that you are never going to use again. In these instances, it’s important to make sure proper waste disposal is followed when getting rid of house paint.

Is it time to toss it?
Paint can last at least two years if stored properly. You need to make sure the lid is airtight on the can. You also don’t want to store it at too cool of a temperature. Above 50 degrees is best for proper storage.
Before using the paint again, check for lumps or clumping. This means the paint is starting to dry up and you may not want to use it anymore.
Disposing of different kinds of paint
Oil-based paint is considered hazardous waste and should be disposed of at a Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Some communities have locations that you can make drops at whenever you want, while others only have set times when hazardous waste materials are accepted. This is one of those situations when you should do a quick search online for your county’s policies.
Latex and water-based paints are not hazardous and can be disposed of in the regular trash. In fact, some communities won’t accept latex-based paint at a hazardous waste facility because of the cost to dispose of it that way, when this method is not necessary.
Dry it out
Before you throw your paint away, make sure you let it dry out so it won’t make a mess. If you have less than a quarter of a can, you can let it sit in the sun for a few days.
If you have more then a quarter of a can, you can buy a product that will harden your paint. Look for it in your local paint or hardware store. Other options are adding items like mulch, kitty litter or shredded paper to help absorb the paint and make it dry quicker.

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