Stormwater
POLLUTION PREVENTION

Paints & Solvents

Hazardous Wastes:

• Chemical paint stripping residue is a hazardous waste.
   
• Chips and dust from marine paints or paints containing lead or tributyl tin are hazardous wastes.
   
• Liquid residues from paints, thinners, solvents, glues and cleaning fluids are hazardous wastes.

Disposal of Paints:

• Keep all liquid paint products and wastes away from the gutter, street and storm drains. If they are thoroughly dried, empty paint cans, spent brushes, rags and drop cloths may be disposed of as trash.
   
• Paint chips and dust from non-hazardous dry stripping and sand blasting may be swept up and disposed of as trash.
   
• When stripping or cleaning building exteriors with high pressure water, block the storm drains. Wash water onto dirt area, spade into soil, or vacuum up.
   
• Never clean paint brushes or containers into a street gutter, storm drain or waterway.  Use water-based paints when possible.
   
• For water-based paints, paint out brushes to the extent possible, and rinse into the sanitary sewer system.
   
• For oil-based paints, paint out brushes to the extent possible and filter and reuse thinners and solvents. Dispose of excess liquids and residue as hazardous waste.
   
• Recycle excess water-based paint, or use completely. Dispose of excess liquid, including sludges, as hazardous waste.
   
• Re-use leftover oil-based paint. Dispose of excess liquid, including sludges, as hazardous waste.

For more information on hazardous waste disposal, call San Joaquin County Solid Waste at 468-3066.

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REMEMBER
Only Rain Down the Drain!