BRUSH UP ON PAINT

 

Americans use 3 million gallons of paint every day. That's over a billion gallons every year‑‑emugh to fill a lake 5 feet deep, 1 mile long, and I mile wide.

 

BACKGROUND

 

Everyone faces a painting decision sometime. The decision should be more than just color, thoughwhat kind of paint you use, and what you do with it when you're done, has a direct impact on the environment. In fact, even cleaning your paintbrushes has an impact.

 

DID YOU KNOW

 

According to the San Francisco Household Hazardous Waste Facility, paint and paint products account for 60% of the hazardous waste dumped by individuals. This includes oilbased paint, thinners, solvents, stains, and finishes. Pigment in oilbased paint is often made with heavy metals like cadmium.

 

Not only is oil-based paint toxic, but the byproducts of manufacturing it are also nasty pollutants. When a pigment called titanium dioxide is used, for example, liquid waste containing sulfuric acid, heavy metals, and chlorinated hydrocarbons is produced.

 

Disposing of any paint by pouring it onto the ground is risking groundwater contamination. And letting any oilbased paint products evaporate pollutes the atmosphere; keep the lids on tight.

 

SIMPLE THINGS TO DO

 

• Use latex paint instead of oilbased paint.

 

• Dispose of excess paint properly. For oilbased paint: See "Hazardous Waste" on p. 82. Latex paint: Let it evaporate outdoors, then dispose of the remaining solid waste with normal garbage. This isn't a "quick fix" evaporation could take up to a year. e Clean paintbrushes safety (latex paint). Don't wash them outsidethe paint will threaten groundwater. If you're on a sewer sys, tem, rinse them in a sink; the waste will go to a treatment facility.

 

Participate in a community "Paint Exchange." Why let your leftover paint go to waste, when someone else could use it? Another alternative: Donate extra paint to a school.