Providing information on painting, with the environment in mind.

Painting Tools

Select painting tools mindful of what can be re-used or recycled, instead of being thrown into the trash bin.

Buy a canvas drop cloth instead of plastic or paper. These can be re-used again and again for many years on different projects.

Buy a premium paint brush/roller. Investing in high quality brushes and rollers will save time and money. They are more efficient when applying paint and can be rinsed and re-used.

Go without a liner - Use a paint tray without a liner when painting with latex paint. This is the environmentally preferred way to go if the tray can be immediately rinsed after use. If you do use a liner, be sure to rinse it out and reuse or recycle it. On the other hand, if you are using oil based paints or primers, then using a tray liner is the best bet. Let the paint dry in the tray liner, and throw away the liner in your regular trash.

Rags and sponges- Use a rag for drips and spills instead of paper towels. For latex paint projects, rinse the wet paint out in regular water. Once rinsed, rags can be put into the washing machine for a thorough cleaning (make sure rags are thoroughly rinsed of paint and residue). When working with oil-based products, use caution. Rags, steel wool, sanding dust or waste soaked with oil-based products may spontaneously catch fire if improperly discarded. Immediately after each use, place rags, steel wool, sanding dust or waste in a sealed, water-filled metal container.

Product Choice

Use top quality products to save time, money and reduce environmental impact.

Use a low VOC latex paint-Valspar’s consumer paint products meet or exceed all federal, state and local VOC regulations.

Paint only with high quality paints for a long lasting durable finish that is easy to clean and maintain. When you use top quality paint with one coat coverage, and long lasting durability, you use less paint. It saves you time and money in the long run, and you generate less waste.

Don’t Skip the Primer. Use a high quality primer, so less paint and coats are required; especially when you are painting light colors over dark colors. Fewer coats results in less work and fewer paint cans in the trash.

Tips

You can reduce waste by utilizing some of these tips.

Use a paint calculator to figure out exactly how much paint will be needed to complete the project. This will cut down on waste and unused paint and assure that the correct amount is purchased.

Before painting, walls must be properly prepared. Use cleaners that are environmentally friendly—no harsh chemicals or pollutants. Mild household detergents can be used to prepare surfaces. Be sure to rinse with clean water after washing with cleaners to remove any residual cleaner.

If you have to take a break from your painting project, instead of rinsing the brush or roller, tightly wrap the tool in plastic wrap or airtight plastic bag, and put the brush or roller in the refrigerator overnight. The plastic wrap will keep the paint wet, so the roller can be re-used later that day or even up to a couple days later.

Use It Up

Before you even start your project, economize on the amount of paint you will use by using Valspar's Paint Calculator.

When your painting is completed, simple suggestions for using extra paint include:

• If a small amount is leftover, use it on the job.
• Keep small amounts for touch-ups.
• Mix small amounts of paint together to be used as an undercoat for future jobs.
• Donate paint to charities (for example, Habitat for Humanity), church groups, community groups, theater groups, schools, a neighbor, etc.

Storing Paint

If you decide to keep your leftover paint, here are some useful suggestions:

• Properly seal the can. Make sure that you wipe excess paint from the rim of the can. Cover the can opening with plastic wrap. Put the lid securely in place and tap it down with a mallet. Store the can upside down.
• Temperature extremes may affect paint so that it will not be usable. Do not allow paint to freeze. Extreme heat and cold will affect how well paint works. Store paint where temperatures are moderate.
• Brush a small amount of paint onto the outside of the can, with the color name and number, so that you will remember what color it is.
• Write on the can which room/wall was painted.
• Keep paint in a safe location - away from children and pets.

Paint Disposal

In order to make the most efficient use of landfills and to keep ground water and soil environmentally safe, we recommend the following tips:

• Check local ordinances and waste hauler regulations.
• Read paint can instructions for proper disposal.
• Dry latex paint generally can be thrown out with your regular household trash, if properly dried.
• If there is less than ¼ can of paint remaining, remove the lid and place the can in a well-ventilated area. The paint will dry in a few days.
• For larger volumes of paint, allow a longer drying time. You can also add shredded newspaper, sand, sawdust, cat litter or paint solidifier to the can. The paint must be completely dry before disposal.
• Another way of drying out latex paint is to punch holes in the top of the can, and leave the can in a dry area to let the paint dry for a couple of weeks.
• For latex paint, lids should be removed from paint cans before they are put in the trash to let waste haulers know the paint is dry.
• Oil-based paint, varnish or paint thinners are generally considered hazardous waste. Check with local ordinances, and read label instructions before disposal. Only dispose through your local designated household hazardous waste programs.

Tool Tips

You would not throw away a screwdriver after you use it, so why throw away your painting tools? Good painting tools can be reused many times - saving money and time spent shopping for new tools, as well as helping the environment by generating less waste.

• Follow the directions on the paint label for tools used.
• Applying the excess to cardboard or newspaper or carefully scraping the tool should remove excess paint.
• Rollers:
  • With latex paint, partially fill a sink with warm water and roll the applicator back and forth. You can also remove paint in a bucket of water. If necessary, use detergent with the water to remove difficult paint. Rinse the roller until the water is clear. Let dry.
  • For oil-based paint, roll the applicator in a paint tray containing mineral spirits or paint thinner. Then wash the roller in soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.
  • Spin out the excess moisture, and place rollers into clean plastic (food storage bags work great).
• Paint Brushes:
  • Remove most of the excess latex paint in a bucket or container while the paint is still wet. It is much more difficult to remove dried paint with soap and water. Wash off the remaining paint under running water.
  • Oil-based paint should be removed in a bucket or container with mineral spirits, rinsed in tap water and then washed with soapy water. Rinse once more. Caution: Rags, steel wool, sanding dust or waste soaked with oil-based products may spontaneously catch fire if improperly discarded. Immediately after each use, place rags, steel wool, sanding dust or waste in a sealed, water-filled metal container
  • Moist paintbrushes can be wrapped in wax paper and sealed with a rubber band or aluminum foil to retain their shape. Hang the brush upside down to maintain its shape.

Recycling Cans

Recycling metal and plastic paint cans should always be considered to reduce landfill usage.

Paint cans should be thoroughly clean and dry. Metal cans are recyclable. Plastic cans may be recyclable, if your waste hauler accepts them. Check your local ordinances or your waste hauler to see what is allowed.

Other Recycling Tips

While recycling paint and paint related products is important in contributing to a healthier environment, below are some great ideas for reducing your impact to the environment.

RECYCLE

Curbside recycling is available in over half of the U.S. Recycle aluminum cans, plastic, glass bottles, paper and metal (tin/steel) cans. Check with your local waste hauler to find out what is allowable.

LIMIT PAPER AND PLASTIC USAGE

Instead of using plastic forks, knives, plates and cups and paper plates, use your everyday tableware. You will save yourself money and help the environment. Don't stop there - fill the dishwasher before each use. It takes the same amount of energy to run a partially filled dishwasher as one that is completely filled.

BATTERIES

Use rechargeable batteries. Check your local electronics stores to see if they have a battery-recycling program.

COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

Since electronics may contain harmful elements such as lead and mercury that can contaminate soil and water, it is extremely important to dispose of them in a conscientious and careful manner. Donate computers and electronics to local charities, schools and churches. If the equipment is in disrepair, check with your local waste hauler or village hall for proper disposal.

PLASTIC BAGS

There are lots of things you can do with plastic bags, but the most important point is to reuse them.

• Use them as garbage can liners.
• Take them on trips to store dirty laundry or wet clothes.
• Ball them up and use them instead of bubble wrap when you have a box to ship or store.
• Carry your lunch in them.
• If you cannot reuse them, recycle them at your grocery store.

ENVELOPES AND PRIVATE INFORMATION

If the envelope has a window, tear off the recyclable part of the envelope, toss the film in the garbage, and then throw the paper envelope contents, and the envelope into the recycling bin. Shred all paperwork that contains private information (credit card number, social security number, etc.) before you recycle it.

GARAGE SALE

Meet your neighbors, make some money, have fun and help the environment - don't throw useful items away. Remember, one person's junk is another person's treasure.

DONATE

Donate usable items to local charities, schools, shelters, churches and neighbors.

COMMUNICATE

Tell your neighbors, friends and family how important it is to recycle in order to contribute to environmental safety. Share these and other tips with them.

JUNK MAIL

You are inundated with mail that you probably never even open. Ending junk mail saves trees and energy, cuts down on handling costs, decreases what goes into landfills and may prevent you from scowling when you receive your mail.

• Stop the flood of mail by contacting the companies who are sending you mail. Typically there is a toll-free number within the information that you have received.
• Contact the Direct Marketing Association and register with their Mail Preference Service on-line at www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist or download a mail-in form.
• If you fill out forms (warranty, membership, etc.) and there is not a "check off" for receiving unwanted mail, write or type-in a phrase that makes it clear that you do not want mailings. For example, "please do not send me any mailings" or "do not give my name to any other organization for future mailings".