Union County Solid Waste outlines how residents should dispose of leftover paint

Union County Solid Waste told residents that leftover paint can be handled safely with a few simple steps: check the can to determine whether the paint is water‑based or oil‑based, dry out any water‑based paint before disposal, and bring oil‑based products and aerosol cans to the county nnual household hazardous waste event each fall.

The agency said water‑based paints such as latex or acrylic are the most commonly used for home projects and noted that empty cans or cans whose contents are fully dry may be disposed of in regular household trash. To speed drying, it advised using granular absorbents including kitty litter, sawdust or a commercial paint hardener, and bagging the drained can before placing it in curbside carts or delivering it to county waste sites.

Union County Solid Waste warned that oil‑based paints, stains, solvents, varnishes and aerosol spray paints are considered household hazardous waste and should not be put in the trash or poured down drains. "It's illegal and harmful to the environment," the agency said, and directed residents to the county nnual household hazardous waste event each fall as the approved way to dispose of those materials.

As alternatives to disposal, the announcement recommended reusing partially used paint on another project or donating it to local nonprofits that accept paint. The agency also urged residents to store paint properly so it remains usable and to keep containers out of the reach of children and pets.

The message closed with a public‑service appeal to review proper disposal methods, noting that following basic steps "helps keep our environment a beautiful masterpiece." The county did not provide specific dates for the hazardous‑waste event in this announcement; residents were told to watch Union County communications for timing and location details.