Paint Disposal

What's the Problem?

Washing paint brushes, cans, or equipment into storm drains is a water quality violation and pollutes the storm system and eventually local streams and rivers. Stormwater pipes flow to water bodies without treatment, unlike the sanitary sewer system which flows to the treatment plan.

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What Should I Do?

Oil-based Paint

  • Dispose of oil-based paint, paint with lead, and paint thinner at the Flathead County Landfill during a monthly household hazardous waste collection day.

Latex-based Paint

  • Dispose of latex-based paint after it is dry or absorbed in your regular trash. Either air-dry leftover paint in the can or absorb the moisture with cat litter, sand, or sawdust and then throw it away.

Pressure Washing

  • If you are using pressure washing to remove paint, collect the wastewater and paint and dispose of it at the Flathead County Landfill during a monthly household hazardous waste collection day. Do not allow wastewater to run into a street and down a storm drain.

For more information visit The WasteNot Project.

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