How Do You Get Rid of Old Paint in Westmoreland County?
Latex paint can go out with your regular trash once it is completely dried, while oil-based paint, stains and varnish should go to a household hazardous waste collection. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection states that latex paint is not hazardous and can be disposed of with regular waste after it is dried with an absorbent material, and Westmoreland Cleanways adds that liquid latex should not be poured down a drain or put in the trash while it is still wet.
Many of the disposal guides that show up in search are written for states with PaintCare, the program behind paint drop-off sites in its member states. PaintCare lists programs in twelve states and the District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania is not one of them. In Westmoreland County, the main option for oil-based products is the household hazardous waste collection run by Noble Environmental at the Westmoreland Cleanways recycling center, 355 Pleasant Unity Mutual Road in Greensburg, on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at $0.80 per pound with cards only. This guide covers both paths, plus ways to use up paint before it becomes waste.
Is Latex Paint Hazardous Waste in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania DEP's guidance for homeowners says latex paint is not hazardous and can be disposed of with regular waste once it has dried. Oil-based paint, stains and varnishes are a different story: DEP calls them hazardous and recommends taking them to a household hazardous waste collection program.
Household hazardous waste is leftover household product that carries warnings such as caution, danger, warning, poison, toxic or flammable on the label, according to Westmoreland Cleanways. The group's list of home improvement products in that category includes oil-based stains and paints, caulking, varnish, paint thinners and chemical strippers.
Not sure which kind you have? Check the label for the words latex, acrylic or water-based on one side, or oil, alkyd or solvent-based on the other. If the label is gone and the can is old, treat it as oil-based and take it to the collection.
How Do You Dry Out Latex Paint for the Trash?
Westmoreland Cleanways and Pennsylvania DEP describe the same basic method:
Pour the paint over an absorbent material such as clay-based cat litter or shredded newspaper.
Let it dry completely.
Bag the dried paint and put it out with your normal trash.
Cleanways also suggests paint hardener, a powder sold at paint stores that you stir directly into the can. Once the paint hardens, it can go out with your regular trash.
A thin layer in the bottom of a can dries faster than a full gallon, so spread larger amounts out in a cardboard box or tray lined with litter. Keep the drying paint away from children and pets, and work outdoors or in a ventilated garage.
DEP adds that empty, dry containers can be recycled in areas where recycling programs accept them. Check with your municipality or hauler, since what is accepted at the curb varies from town to town.
Where Do You Take Oil-Based Paint in Westmoreland County?
The Westmoreland Cleanways recycling center hosts a recurring household hazardous waste collection, but the center's own staff do not handle the material. Only its partner, Noble Environmental, accepts it, and only when Noble staff are on site. Here is what Cleanways lists for the collection:
When: first and third Wednesday of each month, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: 355 Pleasant Unity Mutual Road, Greensburg, PA 15601
Cost: $0.80 per pound, weighed on site, debit or credit cards only
Container limit: 5 gallons or smaller
Accepted: oil-based and latex paint, stains and varnish, putties and adhesives, wood and metal finishing products, water sealers, flammable liquids, batteries, automotive fluids, household cleaners and lawn and garden chemicals
Not accepted: pool chemicals, explosives, ammunition, radioactive materials, pharmaceuticals, syringes, medical waste, smoke detectors and mercury-containing devices
Pack containers in sturdy cardboard boxes, make sure lids are tight and nothing is leaking, and load the boxes as far from the driver as possible. When you arrive, follow the recycling entrance signs to the back of the property and stay in your vehicle. Noble Environmental staff unload the materials, collect payment and keep the containers. For questions about a specific product, Cleanways directs residents to Noble Environmental at 412-567-6566.
Because latex paint is accepted too, the collection is also an option if you have a lot of it and no time to dry it out. Weigh that against the per-pound fee.
Can You Pour Paint Down the Drain or Into the Yard?
No. Westmoreland Cleanways says household hazardous waste should not be poured down the sink, onto the ground, into storm drains or put out with the regular trash. Cleanways notes that liquid paint can contaminate waterways, and spills on the ground or in a storm drain head in that direction.
The same rule covers brush-cleaning water and leftover thinner. DEP's guidance says residue from paint thinner, turpentine and mineral spirits can be dried with cat litter, sawdust or shredded newspaper and then thrown out with household waste.
What Can You Do With Leftover Paint Before Throwing It Out?
The cheapest disposal is not needing it. Westmoreland Cleanways suggests a few ways to use paint up:
Keep painting. The last pint can go on the wall where it blends with the rest of the job.
Paint something else. Scrap lumber, cardboard projects or the inside of a garage are all fair game.
Give it away. Cleanways suggests checking with a local theater group, which may be able to use it for scenery.
Store it right. Cover the opening with plastic wrap, press the lid down firmly, and turn the can upside down to create a tight seal that keeps the paint usable longer.
Buying the right amount is the other half. Cleanways points out that an extra gallon is not a bargain if half of it has to be thrown away. Keep one labeled can of each wall color for touch-ups, and note the room and date on the lid.
Older cans deserve extra caution. The EPA notes that the federal government banned the sale of lead-based paint for homes in 1978, so a can that predates that year could contain lead. Do not sand or burn dried paint from an old can, and ask Noble Environmental how to bring it to the collection.
If a garage full of half-used cans is part of a bigger cleanout, the guide to cleaning and organizing a garage covers how to sort what stays and what goes.
How Can You End Up With Less Leftover Paint Next Time?
Measuring first is the simplest way to cut leftovers. Measure each room's walls and ceilings before you buy, stick with one product line for the whole project, and ask your painter how many gallons each room needs for the surface and the number of coats planned.
Product choice also matters for what you store at home afterward. Water-based paints clean up with soap and water and can be dried out for the trash, while oil-based products add solvent cleanup and a trip to the hazardous waste collection. The post on why to choose low-VOC paint for your home explains the health side of that choice, and the list of common DIY painting mistakes covers cleanup and ventilation once the walls are done, including the open cans left behind.
FAQ
Can I throw away latex paint in Pennsylvania?
Yes, once it is completely dry. Pennsylvania DEP says latex paint is not hazardous and can go in regular waste after you dry it with cat litter, shredded newspaper or a paint hardener.
Where can I drop off oil-based paint near Greensburg?
At the household hazardous waste collection run by Noble Environmental at the Westmoreland Cleanways recycling center, 355 Pleasant Unity Mutual Road, Greensburg, on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
How much does it cost to drop off paint at Westmoreland Cleanways?
The collection charges $0.80 per pound, weighed on site. Payment is by debit or credit card only.
Is there a PaintCare drop-off site in Pennsylvania?
No. PaintCare lists programs in twelve states and the District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania is not on the list.
Can I put empty paint cans in recycling?
Pennsylvania DEP says empty, dry containers can be recycled where local programs accept them. Ask your municipality or hauler whether metal paint cans are taken at the curb.
How long does leftover paint last in storage?
It depends on the product, how full the can is and how well it is sealed. Westmoreland Cleanways recommends plastic wrap under the lid and storing the can upside down so the seal stays tight.
Paint Projects With Spotless Solutions
Spotless Solutions is a Greensburg painting, remodeling and cleaning company at 421 White Street that paints interiors and exteriors for homes and businesses across Westmoreland County. Its crews use Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams premium lines, start every job with surface prep, and move furniture, cover floors and remove tape cleanly when the work is done. Color consultation is included with interior and exterior painting, and quotes are free.
Visit Spotless Solutions or call 412-478-7384 today. Contact us for more information.
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