A painting job, no matter the size, is not really done, until clean-up is finished...and that includes the safe, proper, and legal management and disposal of the paint waste. Allegheny Environmental Services, Inc. has worked with painting contactors and paint users over three states and other parts of the northeast. We have assembled here, and on linked pages, information we hope will be of benefit to those who want to make the right choices when it comes to paint waste management.
With the increasing popularity of water-based latex paints, some would think that the problems of paint waste, clean-up and disposal, would just go away. Not quite. We all know that despite the promotional hoopla and all the advertising, paint dealer and company recommendations, there are many applications where oil-based paints are, if not the only solution, the superior solution as far as surface results. But that leaves disposal. It really need not be a big problem.
Besides paint and solvent waste, there are other potentially hazardous or "special" wastes that require proper attention. We'll look at all these situations.
Ignitable Wastes. Most all the oil-based paints and solvents will far into this category. They will fit the definition of hazardous waste. The wastes that come from paint preparation; brush and spray cleaning; paint and varnish removers; paint brush cleaners; and epoxy resins and adhesives. Wastes such as these that have a flash point of less than 140-degrees F. or contain certain chemical components are considered hazardous waste. They must be disposed of through a permitted hazardous waste treatment/disposal facility. Included in this group are most of the good lacquers, enamels, and wood refinishing and treatment waste. Paints which contain one or more of the following are likely to be hazardous wastes: acetone, petroleum distillates, toluene, epoxy ester resins, methylene chloride, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isobutyl ketone, aromatic hydrocarbons, and naptha.
Spent Solvents. From painting, thining, cleaning, and degreasing. The most popular include "mineral spirits" and turpentine. Others are methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, xylene, kerosene, trichllorotrifluorethane and acetone. Some of these are "hazardous" because of their flash point, others by their placement on certain government "lists" and others because they may escape the official technical definition of "hazardous"---should be disposed of as such anyway because...you wouldn't want to dump that down a sewer. And, course, disposal of liquids in a dumpster or trash collection is a no-no.
Rags and Towels. Rags contaminated with spent solvents that are in the F001, F002, F004, or F005 categories are hazardous wastes. They must be disposed of through a hazardous waste service such as provided by Allegheny Environmental. (For a listing of the "F-coded" wastes see our pages on "Listed Wastes.") Rags otherwise contaminated may be disposed of through various laundry services if they will accept them. Rags placed in dumpsters and the like, even if not classed as "hazardous," may be the source of spontaneous combustion. And always, when sending off rags with paint waste...consider...potential liability.
Acid and Alkaline Wastes. From cleaning, degreasing, and surface preparation. Also from plumbing operations. These wastes usually contain one of the following: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid---all acid with a pH of 2 or less. Alkalines include sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide with a pH of 12.5 or greater.
Special Paint Waste with Pesticidal Functions. Waste in this group will also be hazardous. Includes antifoulant marine paints containing tributyltin or copper paints, commonly used on boat hulls and other boat parts; preservatives used to preserve wood docks and decks and other structures exposed to water; and other paints used to prevent mildew, to control insects, etc.
Paint Waste with Heavy Metals. Chrome is commonly used in paints to achieve certain bright colors. Lead paints still have applications in industrial locations. Paints that contain cadmium or mercury are also hazardous.
Waste Abrasives. Although the abrasive being used may not be hazardous, what comes off in sandblasting and other abrasive surface preparation procedures often is hazardous. This means collecting all the waste and treating it as "hazardous." If you are uncertain as to the characteristics of the material coming off, it must be tested and results need to be shown to the landfill operator where the "non-hazardous" abrasive waste is going. Testing and determining the character of the waste---and certification of it---is the waste generator's responsibility.
For nearly 20 years Allegheny Environmental Services has been providing disposal for painting contractors.
By the pail or bottle, drum, and tank. At the low cost with the spotless safety and regulatory record. We are
owned and operated by residents of New York and Pennsylvania. Call Bob Rooney for full information at:
716-439-4852
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