Des Moines

Latex Paint Cans

Please follow these instructions when disposing latex paint cans:

• Empty metal paint cans or plastic buckets, may be placed in your curbside recycling cart

• Metal cans or plastic buckets containing latex paint must be dried out and then put in the garbage. No cans or buckets containing wet paint are allowed in the garbage.

• To dry out small amounts of latex paint (less than 1-inch), leave the lid off for several days until the contents are dry.

• To dry out larger amounts of latex paint or to dry it quickly, mix 50/50 with kitty litter or a commercial paint hardener such as “Waste Away.” Allow the mixture to dry in the can.

• Put dried out paint cans in your garbage with the lid off so drivers can see that the can contains only dried paint.

NOTE: Oil-based paint cans are not allowed in the garbage. For disposal of oil-based paint cans, please see Hazardous Waste Drop-off Centers.