Latex paint accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Day

BERLIN — Latex paint will be accepted on Household Hazardous Waste Day, Saturday, June 13, at the Androscoggin Valley Region Refuse Transfer Station as a convenience to residents. However, unlike oil-based paints that contain solvents and must be cleaned up with mineral spirits or other solvents, latex paint contains water and the instructions recommend clean-up with water.

Although latex paint can be brought to Household Hazardous Waste day, we recommend that, in order to properly dispose of small amounts of latex paint, you use the following paint-drying techniques: Remove the lid and let the paint dry in the can. Stir the paint occasionally for speed drying or brush paint in layers on newspaper or cardboard. When dry, place in trash. For larger amounts of latex paint, pour one-inch layers of paint into a cardboard lined with plastic. Allow the paint to dry one layer at a time. Thin layers will speed up the drying process or mix paint with cat litter, sawdust or sand in a cardboard box lined with plastic and let dry then place in trash.