Latex Paint Disposal

The DC Department of Public Works web site seems to be of two minds about latex paint (and it's can). First latex paint is listed as "Unacceptable household hazardous waste" and then under a section called "How You Can Help" we are told that latex paint is "not hazardous".

"Unacceptable household hazardous waste and e-cycling items include:

• Air conditioners (Call 311 for a bulk trash collection appointment.)
• Ammunition (Take to the closest police station.)
• Explosives (Take to the closest police station.)
• Latex paint (Dry out and place in the trash.)

How You Can Help

Latex paint is NOT HAZARDOUS. If you have unused latex paint, remove the lid and let it dry out. Then place the can in the trash. You can speed up the drying process by adding some kitty litter to the paint."


Not sure I want to cut through the semantic acrobats of the logic that allows both of those assertions to be true nor do I want to push the limits of recycling possibilities - I just want to get rid of the stuff in as safe a manner as I can given the circumstances...... and it is clear DPW wants me to dry the paint out and put it in the trash.....

So I dried out the paint and left the paint can in the trash container a couple of weeks ago. After the garbage crew came through, I found the paint can left behind next to the garbage can. Other garbage was gone but not the paint can. Hmmmmmm. Will try again.