Seal of the City of St. Louis

City of St. Louis
Department of Streets
Refuse Division

4100 S. 1st Street
St. Louis, MO 63118-3390
(314) 353-8877 Fax: (314) 352-5627

Household Hazardous Waste - Paint

What You Can Do

NOTE: The following information is also available as a downloadable PDF Flyer or Word document.

paint The first option for any hazardous material is to use it up, in the manner in which it was intended. Share it with family, friends, neighbors, community groups, or anyone you know who might need such material.

Possible reuse contacts:

  • art departments at schools, colleges, or universities
  • building contractors
  • campgrounds
  • community centers
  • organizations involved in housing and home improvement for low income and elderly citizens
  • religious facilities
  • sign painters
  • summer camps
  • theater groups

    paint As noted on the Hazardous Waste Disposal Chart on the website of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD), latex paint can be recycled or landfilled. If landfilled, residents must prepare the latex paint by removing the lid from the can, in a well-ventilated area (away from sources of heat or flame, or other hazardous materials). This allows the volatiles or fumes to dissipate, so that the latex paint will solidify. Once the latex paint is solidified (dry and hard all the way through); the can and latex paint can be disposed of with the general trash (leave the lid off of the can, so that the hauler can see that it is empty).

    paint Lead-based paint and oil-based (lead-free) paint are classified as household hazardous waste (HHW), and must be disposed of accordingly.

    For future reference, a helpful guide about what to do with different materials is MSD's Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Chart, which you can review at http://mkasmtp1.stlmsd.com/MSD/PgmsProjs/YouCanHelp/HazWasteDisposalChart/hazardous2.htm.

    Currently, there are no local paint recyclers.

    For all other paint and related wastes (e.g., thinner, turpentine), arrange for service with a company that handles hazardous waste; check the Yellow Pages under "Hazardous Material Control and Removal" or "Waste Recycling and Disposal Service."

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    This Page Last Modified: 01/31/08