FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

PAINTING – How to dispose of the slops??

toolbear | Posted in Construction Techniques on December 15, 2003 07:00am

RE: Paint slops, latex.

Folks,

Just finished a Blitz Build with the Lennar folks and a major problem on our jobsites was getting rid of the painting residue and slops from brush cleaning. In fact, tomorrow I will go back and find 15 gallons of latex water tucked away, waiting for me. They dug a pit in the back yard, but in clay, this is not that useful. Filled it early and we still have stuff left over.

How do you get rid of this stuff?

(Don’t suggest brushing it out on cardboard and waiting for the sun to dry it. BTDT. I can collect Social Security before this method works – and this is in CA, with sunshine.)

Any way to filter the stuff? Thru sand? Thru bentonite? Pour slops in the top of the drum, get clear water out the bottom?

What do the pros do?

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. joeh | Dec 15, 2003 08:21am | #1

    In CA it's toxic waste in the storm drains, BUT, magically it's ok to pour it down the drain.

    Legal disposal is the kitchen sink. Hole in the yard is probably gonna put you in the cell next to Saddam Hussein.

    Joe H

    1. toolbear | Dec 15, 2003 04:23pm | #3

      I wanted to flush the stuff down a cleanout into the sewer treatment system, but the super thought that would be very naughty.

      If I could legally use the sewer system, I could build a brush wash station and dispose of the whole problem neatly.

    2. DavidThomas | Dec 15, 2003 11:22pm | #7

      "In CA it's toxic waste in the storm drains, BUT, magically it's ok to pour it down the drain."

      Storm Drains (those grates in the city streets) generally lead straight to lakes, streams and oceans.  Maybe with some screens to take out the logs, but no other treatment.

      As others have said, check locally.  But a city sewer system (where the toilet and kitchen sink goes) has settling tanks, floatation tanks, aerobic digesters,  anaerobic digesters, etc.

      Local regs aside, I feel the least impact would come from letting it dry out throughly in the can, toss in a little kitty litter as well, secure the lid and put it in the landfill.

      Ideally, your local landfill has amnesty days and a catagory for latex paint.  But they'll probably do the same thing so you could save your muncipality some money - it probably needs it.David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

      1. dIrishInMe | Dec 16, 2003 02:02am | #9

        Just trying to learn something here.  Is latex paint really an environmental hazard?  I wouldn't pour it in a storm drain, but wouldn't hesitate to send it to the land fill... What's the story?  I mean it's just water and some forms of plastic - isn't it.  Couldn't be any worse than all the Styrofoam that fast food "restaurants" contributes to our fine country...

        Matt

         

        PS: what are "slobs" - when I first read the title I thought he was talking firing incompetent painters... :)  Oh, wait a minute - that's "sloPs".

        Edited 12/15/2003 6:05:52 PM ET by DIRISHINME

        1. DavidThomas | Dec 16, 2003 03:09am | #10

          Latex paint for residential use sold in the last 25 years isn't very bad stuff.  Once they got the lead and cadmium salts out, it is not very toxic.  It is still a source of fine particles and would cause turbidity (lack of clarity) in surface waters. 

          Once dry, it's just a big lump, not fine particles.David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

          1. jc21 | Dec 16, 2003 06:55am | #11

            How toxic are the polymers, ethylene glycol, and mildewicides used in some of the newer latex paints? 

          2. DavidThomas | Dec 16, 2003 07:40am | #13

            Ethylene gycol degrades in the environment. (In your body for that matter, but it's those dang oxalate crystal that cause the renal failure.)

            Polymers are, mostly, pretty benign.

            "Mildewicides" ("Fungicides" in federal regulations) obviously are bad for fungi. But not nearly so bad to animals. The animal versus fungi chemical warfare has been going on for a few billion years now. Most classes of antibiotics were not truly invented by humans. But manufactured by molds and others fungi and discovered by humans. Conversely, something aimed specifically fungi isn't typical highly toxic to animals.

            That said, given the option, I'd avoid them. On a camping trip, someone was about to toss the salad in a Hefty trash bag (seemingly clever idea). I asked them to turn it inside out first, since they coat the inside with fungicides.David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

          3. dIrishInMe | Dec 16, 2003 07:11am | #12

            Thanks.  Sounds like maybe take the lid off before tossing it in the site dumpster.  Maybe let it sit around for several days first.

            Matt

          4. toolbear | Dec 16, 2003 08:28am | #14

            This stuff has been sitting around and shows no inclination to settle out.  It must be a fine suspension.  Dry wells in our clay soils turn into swamps.  I wonder about a kitty litter filter.

  2. 4Lorn2 | Dec 15, 2003 09:06am | #2

    I take the latex water and dump it into a bucket. Then I take an old tee shirt on a hanger and suspending the tail into one or two gallon bucket. I hang it in a sunny spot facing south behind the shed. A gallon can evaporate in a single sunny warm, this is Florida so your mileage may vary. The Solids I keep, under protection from rain until it is completely solid. This I toss in the trash with the bucket unless I'm saving buckets at the time.

    just for reference I let the mineral spirits settle in glass jars for oil based clean up. I use a turkey baster to draw off the clean at the top. I continue to concentrate until it won't, even after a weeks time, settle much more. This I take to a recycling  plant during amnesty days. The clear, or clearish, liquid I reuse. The cycle of life... er wrong movie ... paint thinner goes on.

    1. toolbear | Dec 15, 2003 04:27pm | #4

      Thanks for the ideas.

      I am going to have to try evaporation. CA has some sun in the winter.

      More in summer. Like the turkey baster idea for my own thinner residue.

      Ever try kitty litter or bentonite? We got 100# for our ReStore for those leakers and other fine donated paints, but I have not heard back.

      1. tenpenny | Dec 15, 2003 06:21pm | #5

        Every place is different; around here, you aren't allowed to pour it down the drain, what they want you to do is fill the cans with kitty litter to absorb all the water, bang the tops on loosely, and take it to the landfill.

        Made no sense to me at all, but there ya go.

        1. DaveRicheson | Dec 15, 2003 06:56pm | #6

          Latex can be dried up with kitty litter and then disposed of as normal solid waste around here. Our county recycling center will not take latex paints. They hand out instruction sheets that tell how to dispose of it using kitty litter. we leave the lids off of the cans and the cans stacked seperately for normal trash pickup.

          Check with your local sanitation department for thier reccomendations.

          Dave

  3. Jeff | Dec 16, 2003 01:05am | #8

    Around here in Vermont, we have to let the paint dry first before we can put it in the transfer station.

    As for wet paint, oil, latex, whatever, we can recycle it 2 days a year when they have a special hazardous waste pick-up day.

    I usually save the left overs for then.

    As for the waste water for washing brushes, I have a dry well for that.  No solvents.

    Jeff

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Guest Suite With a Garden House

This 654-sq.-ft. ADU combines vaulted ceilings, reclaimed materials, and efficient design, offering a flexible guest suite and home office above a new garage.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump
  • Insulation for Homes in the Wildland Urban Interface
  • An Impressive Air-to-Water Heat Pump

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Old House Journal – August 2025
    • Designing the Perfect Garden Gate
    • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data