Paint

GIBSONS RECYCLING DEPOT
Educational Outreach Program
May 2009 Edition

Paint beautifies our surroundings but the ingredients can be hazardous to our health and the environment if the product is not handled correctly. Leftover paint should never be thrown in the garbage or poured down the drain. Up to 25% of paint purchased is leftover. Leftover paint should be reused or recycled.

In British Columbia we have PRODUCT CARE, a non-profit product stewardship program. operating under the BC Recycling Regulation for the collection and management of leftover paint to keep them out of our landfills and waters. The program is funded by ECO FEES paid to PRODUCT CARE by its member companies. The products collected are reused, recycled or used for energy value.

PRODUCT CARE DEPOTSaccept household paints for recycling as well as offering usable paint for reuse. Paints can be taken to Gibsons Recycling Depot or the Sechelt landfill: both facilities have PRODUCT CARE DEPOTS.

Tips to keep it safe for everyone:

• Make sure paint is tightly sealed in its original container
• Original label must be on the paint container and visible
• Don’t leave any painting tools in container
• Don’t mix alkyd (oil-based) and latex (water-based) paints
• Keep paint containers out of reach of children and pets
• Don’t leave paint in vehicle for long periods especially in hot weather
• Store in well- ventilated area away from heat and ignition sources

Do your part by only buying the amount of paint you need (ask paint stores for advise) or use what you buy. If you need to dispose of leftovers do it safely and responsibly at a PRODUCT CARE depot. There is no charge for drop off.

TIPS FOR CLEAN UP

If you are using latex (water-based) paints, you can wash your paintbrushes directly in your kitchen sink or bathroom sink. You shouldn’t rinse brushes in the street. Remember storm drains flow directly without treatment into local waterways.

If you are using oil-based paints, clean up properly by rinsing brushes with solvent in a container. Filter and reuse thinner and solvent. Take unusable liquid and residue to household hazardous waste depot. (Sechelt Landfill).

Try to use latex paint, as it is less toxic.

Better yet buy Boomerang paint the only recycled paint made in Canada. PRODUCT CARE paints are shipped to Laurentide Inc., for recycling. Not only is Boomerang paint made from recycled paint but it is low in volatile organic compounds so it a sound environmental choice.

BARBARA HETHERINGTON
Educational Outreach
Gibsons Recycling Depot
GIBSONS BC