You’ve painted a space you love, and we couldn’t be happier. There’s just one more thing to remember before you settle into your newly-revamped room: how to store the paint you may need for touch-ups down the road, and how to dispose of paint you no longer need, safely.

Storing Extra Paint

Leftover paint can be kept and reused for quite a long time if stored properly. It’s best to store leftover paint in a cool, dark location free from moisture and extreme temperatures. Moisture can cause your paint can to rust, and extreme heat or cold can ruin your paint. So think twice if you were planning on storing your paint in your oven-hot Florida garage or your icy basement up in Chicago.

Before storing, cover the opening of the can with plastic wrap, and seal the lid tightly using a rubber mallet. Avoid using a hammer, which can leave dents in the can that may allow air to seep in and shorten the paint’s shelf life.

For ease of access later on, there’s a number of things you should mark on the outside of the paint can. Our paints come with a handy color name sticker. Where there's room, jot down how much paint is left inside, the date, and what room you painted.

Unopened paint has quite a long shelf life but it's optimal to use up your paint within two to three years. Opened cans that have been exposed to the air will have a shorter shelf life which can vary depending on conditions such as temperature and whether the lid was properly sealed. Plan on disposing of those after one to two years.

Recycling Extra Paint

If you have extra paint that can still be used, we always recommend recycling it. It's the least wasteful option and the paint can be used to make new water-based paints or mixed together for reuse in community projects like graffiti removal.

If you live in one of the the states with paint stewardship programs operated by PaintCare, an organization that manages local paint recycling programs. So if you're wondering where to dispose of paint for recycling, take your leftover paint to a drop-off site, where it is sorted for reuse, recycling, energy recovery, or safe disposal.

For those living in non-PaintCare states, you can donate unused and unopened water-based paint at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which sells gently-used and discounted furniture, appliances and building materials, like paint, from Habitat projects across the country.

You can also drop off leftover paint at household hazardous waste collection sites and events nationwide. Household paint is NOT considered hazardous waste, but lots of hazardous waste sites will take it off your hands and ensure proper disposal. Find a list of sites by inputting your zip code in this recycling search tool from Earth911.

How to Dispose of Paint, Safely

Latex paint such as ours can be thrown into the trash only after it has been fully dried out. If you have a small amount of paint left in your can, remove the lid and allow it to dry out and solidify, then you can toss it in with your regular household trash.

If you have a larger amount of paint to dispose of, our favorite hack is kitty litter which helps dry your paint out faster. Stir in equal parts kitty litter into your paint can (or a larger, leakproof container if needed) until it starts to thicken. Then let it sit until it's fully dried out, usually about 24 hours. Once it's dry, you can throw the dried paint bits in the garbage and recycle the empty paint can.

Remember, when getting rid of paint, never pour leftovers down the drain or into the ground.

Responsible Paint Can Disposal

Our paint cans are made of 100% recycled high-density polyethylene resin and are 100% recyclable! However, they can only be recycled once all paint has been removed. So while you can throw your paint in the trash once the paint inside has dried out, the most responsible thing to do is to thoroughly clean your paint (the kitty litter trick is the best hack!) and recycle the can with your regular household recycling. 

Check your local regulations and visit these sites for more helpful resources on paint recycling:

• For customers in CA, CO, CT, DC, ME, MN, OR, RI, VT, WA & DC: Paint Product Stewardship
• For customers everywhere else: How to Recycle Paint

Need to give your walls a touch up? Read: The Right Way to Touch Up Paint