Household paint and
other hazardous household wastes
Get clued up
Certain paints and hazardous household wastes
which are damaging to the environment, should never be placed in
black bin bags or tipped down drains. Do your research before you
buy and know whether your choice contains a hazardous material such
as lead. Remember to look for clues on the pot too (such as a skull
and cross bones indicates there a hazardous contents).
Left-over emulsion paint
If it can't be reused by you a friend or a
relative, (don't forget you may wish to touch up a wall
in the future), this should be mixed with sand and left with the
lid off to solidify. It can then be disposed of in the normal black
bin bag. However, no solvent paint can be disposed of in this
manner although completely empty tins may be put in black bin
bags.
Oil-based paint
Do your research. Paint manufactured before
1986 is highly likely to contain lead and we ask you do not dry
this out and send it to landfill. More modern paints may/may not
have hazardous substances in the pot, so be as sure as you can be,
before you decide on how to dispose of it, either treat it as an
emulsion or a hazardous material (advice above or below).
How to dispose of hazardous materials
Although we do not provide a household
hazardous waste collection service, we can make arrangements for
collections by a private contractor at a commercial charge to the
householder. Specialist waste contractors who may be able to
provide a chargeable collection service may also be found in Yellow
Pages. The Vale of Glamorgan Council uses companies who operate
locally such as: Biffa, Tradebe and Natural Solutions.
What other materials are hazardous?
Besides solvent paint, also examples include: weed
killers, pesticides, household cleaners/chemicals, creosote, fuel
and other flammable liquids such as: motor oil/fluids and long-life
bulbs.
Tips
Remember preventing waste is the most
environmentally friendly; when carrying out decorating work, try to
buy only enough of the product for the DIY job required or at least
be sure to discuss what happens with leftovers with your contractor
- maybe they can save you money by tagging on to another job (if
using the same colour?). If you do have leftover paint why not ask
friends/family/community groups if they can use it?
Contact
Tel: 01446 700111 or email: visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk