Question:
Do empty and dried out paint cans(latex paint)need to be taken to hazardous waste facilities or can they be thrown away in regular trash?
Answer:
Paint cans are considered hazardous waste when they contain paint. If the cans are empty or completely dry they can be placed in the trash. We recommend removing the lids so that your waste hauler can see that the paint cans are empty or dry. However, if you are not sure whether the cans are completely dry, it would be best to treat them as hazardous waste. For residential use, you may bring paint to one of our mobile Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection events. The County's drive-thru collection events are a free and convenient way for residents to dispose of unwanted hazardous waste such as latex paint, as described in your question. Please keep in mind that commercial/business waste will not be accepted.
Also note that you cannot legally transport more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of household hazardous waste per trip. To view a schedule of the County's upcoming collection events, visit our HHW schedule page by clicking on the provided link. We also offer an Electronic Notification (E-Notify) system that will provide you with information on collection events as they become scheduled in or near your area. Please visit the E-Notify link provided below to sign up for this service.
In addition, the County of Los Angeles has partnered with the City of Los Angeles to allow all residents of Los Angeles County to drop off HHW/E-Waste at their permanent HHW/E-Waste Collection Centers. For additional information on the City of L.A.'s permanent centers, please click on the provided link or call 1 (800) 98-TOXIC.
Links:
E-notify Sign up
L.A. County HHW Collection Events
City of L.A. Permanent Centers
Do empty and dried out paint cans(latex paint)need to be taken to hazardous waste facilities or can they be thrown away in regular trash?
Answer:
Paint cans are considered hazardous waste when they contain paint. If the cans are empty or completely dry they can be placed in the trash. We recommend removing the lids so that your waste hauler can see that the paint cans are empty or dry. However, if you are not sure whether the cans are completely dry, it would be best to treat them as hazardous waste. For residential use, you may bring paint to one of our mobile Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection events. The County's drive-thru collection events are a free and convenient way for residents to dispose of unwanted hazardous waste such as latex paint, as described in your question. Please keep in mind that commercial/business waste will not be accepted.
Also note that you cannot legally transport more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of household hazardous waste per trip. To view a schedule of the County's upcoming collection events, visit our HHW schedule page by clicking on the provided link. We also offer an Electronic Notification (E-Notify) system that will provide you with information on collection events as they become scheduled in or near your area. Please visit the E-Notify link provided below to sign up for this service.
In addition, the County of Los Angeles has partnered with the City of Los Angeles to allow all residents of Los Angeles County to drop off HHW/E-Waste at their permanent HHW/E-Waste Collection Centers. For additional information on the City of L.A.'s permanent centers, please click on the provided link or call 1 (800) 98-TOXIC.
Links:
E-notify Sign up
L.A. County HHW Collection Events
City of L.A. Permanent Centers