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, though‑what 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 oil‑based paint, thinners, solvents, stains, and finishes.
Pigment in oil‑based paint is often made with heavy metals like cadmium.
Not
only is oil-based paint toxic, but
the by‑products 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 oil‑based paint products evaporate pollutes the atmosphere; keep
the lids on tight.
SIMPLE THINGS TO DO
•
Use latex paint instead of oil‑based paint.
•
Dispose of excess paint properly. For oil‑based 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
outside‑the 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 left‑over paint go
to waste, when someone else could use it? Another alternative: Donate extra
paint to a school.