57 Ways - 25. Dispose Of Paints And Solvents Safely

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57 Ways To Protect Your Home Environment (and Yourself)

Caring for the Home Landscape

1. Aim for a healthy lawn rather than a perfect lawn
2. Cut the grass without gas
3. Prevent insect, disease, and weed problems in the garden
4. Identify fruits and vegetables that need fewer pesticides
5. Select native trees and shrubs that will thrive in your yard
6. Keep your tress healthy and safe
7. Plant “wild” in your backyard
8. Attract birds and butterflies to your backyard

Using Alternatives to Traditional Pesticides & Fertilizers - Where Practical

9. Scout for pests on the landscape
10. Consider microbial insecticides
11. Consider botanical insecticides & insecticidal soaps
12. Conserve beneficial insects
13. Monitor & control insects with traps
14. Use pest barriers in your garden
15. Solarize soil
16. Consider the potential of natural fertilizers

Using Chemicals on the Landscape - If Necessary

17. Know what to ask a lawn-care company and arborist
18. Understand pesticide toxicity
19. Read the pesticide label
20. Apply pesticides accurately and safely
21. Apply fertilizers accurately and safely

Storing & Disposing of Hazardous Chemicals

22. Store hazardous chemicals safely
23. Dispose of pesticides safely
24. Dispose of auto products safely
25. Dispose of paints and solvents safely
26. Dispose of adhesives, areosols, household cleaners & other hazardous waste safely

Managing Yard, Food & Other Household Waste

27. Reduce household waste
28. Recycle paper, glass, & aluminum
29. Reuse and respond
30. Recycle grass clippings
31. Create a compost pile
32. Use yard waste as mulch
33. Dispose of tree residues

Protecting Your Drinking Water

34. Know when & how to test your water
35. Test your water for coliform bacteria & nitrate 36. Test your water for pesticides - if necessary
37. Know the signs of contaminants in drinking water
38. Select effective water-treatment methods
39. Prevent contamination from septic systems
40. Know the pros & cons of bottled water

Protecting the Indoor Environment

41. Prevent contamination by lead
42. Test your home for radon
43. Reduce radon levels
44. Control dust, dust mites & other allergens
45. Reduce pollution from combustion equipment
46. Prevent contamination by formaldehyde and asbestos
47. Recognize tht it's not always necessary to control indoor insects
48. Select the right household pesticide
49. Control household pests with less toxic alternatives
50. Select household cleaners wisely

Conserving Energy & Water

51. Design new homes for energy effciency
52. Save energy in heating & cooling
53. Insulate & seal your home
54. Choose energy-efficient appliances
55. Save money & energy with compact fluorescent light bulbs
56. Use plants & other landscape tools to conserve energy
57. Conserve water in & around the home

25. Dispose Of Paints And Solvents Safely
	Most paints contain solvents and metals that are hazardous to the environment. An exception to this is the new solvent-free paint. Latex and oil-based paints should not go to the landfill, nor should they be dumped in storm sewers, household drains, or on the ground. Try to buy only the amount of paint that you need, and then use it up. Oil-based paint, stored in the container, can stay in good shape for up to 15 years; latex paint can last for about 10 years.
	You can donate paint to friends, relatives, churches, recreation departments, community service organizations, or theatrical groups. And in some areas, recycling programs will accept paint. Another option is to take it to a household hazardous-waste collection site. If that’s not possible, contact the local University of Illinois Extension office for disposal ideas.
	As a last resort, latex paint can be dried out. If the can contains small amounts of latex paint, remove the lid and stir the paint to speed drying. Then allow the leftover paint in the can to dry out. Periodically stir the paint.
	If the can contains large amounts of latex paint, brush paint in layers on newspaper or cardboard, or pour 1-inch layers of paint into a cardboard box lined with plastic. Allow the paint to dry one layer at a time. You can also mix the paint with cat litter, sawdust, or sand in a cardboard box lined with plastic. Let it dry.
	If latex paint has separated, pour the clear liquid on top into a cardboard box lined with plastic.
	Mix the liquid with an equal amount of cat litter or other absorbent material. Then allow the leftover paint in the bottom of the can to dry out.
	Let turpentine or brush cleaners sit in a closed container until the paint particles settle out. Next, pour off the clear liquid, which can be reused. Add an absorbent such as cat litter to the remaining residue, and let it dry completely. Before you do this, however, make sure you know where you can dispose of the dried residue.