How Do I Handle My Waste Materials?
Resident Recycling & Composting
Business, Government & MRF Recycling
- Business & Workplace
- Local Governments / Responsible Units
- Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs)
- RU/MRF Reporting
Recycling Education & Outreach
Recycling Resources
- Annual Recycling & Landfill Reports
- Banned Materials
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Grants
- Publications
- Staff Contacts
- Other Recycling Contacts
- Recycling Law
- Recycling Quick Reference
- Related Sites
- Studies, Reports & Forms
Special Topics
- Agricultural Plastics
- Construction & Demolition Debris
- Digital Television Conversion
- Discarded Electronics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Plastic Shopping Bags
Paint, Paint Thinner, and Other Home Improvement Products
Material Description
Paints, brush cleaners, glues, paint thinners, varnish strippers and wood preservatives.
Environmental Impacts
Potential environmental impacts depend on the ingredients in the products you are using. Many household paint and other home improvement products may be toxic or flammable, so you must take caution. Products may pollute groundwater or surface water if thrown down sewers. Products containing organic solvents should not be evaporated in urban areas experiencing summer ozone alerts.
Too Valuable to Waste
Always try to use products up. Leftover paint could be used as a prime coat or to paint the garden shed.
Legal Requirements
Household waste is excluded from regulation as a hazardous waste identified in chapter NR 605, Wis. Adm. Code, (PDF, exit DNR). However, if a household waste is managed separately by a non-household member, this exemption no longer applies.
Your local government may have legal restrictions on throwing certain materials in the garbage or down the sewer. Homeowners should check with their local recycling program or public works or public health departments to find out more about local restrictions.
Preferred Handling Option: Use it Up and Safe Disposal!
The best handling options depend on the ingredients in the products you are using and the community in which you live. Read the label for proper disposal techniques and take personal responsibility for determining the appropriate disposal option. When in doubt, ask!
UW-Extension has developed a publication that contains helpful information on disposal options for paints and other home improvement products (PDF, exit DNR).
Many county Web sites (exit DNR) may contain contact information for public works, hazardous waste, or public health departments or look in your phone book.
Some products may need to be taken to household hazardous waste collection sites. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has additional information about county clean sweep programs (exit DNR).
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