Paint Wise – Buy The Right Size

According to the National Paint and Coating Association, the equivalent of two gallons of paint per person is purchased each year in the US. Unfortunately with each purchase, there is likely to be leftover paint that may end up either stored in a garage or thrown in the garbage eventually making its way to the local landfill. Large amounts of leftover paint have become environmental and economic concerns for local solid waste agencies. Collection of leftover paint is expensive and many local communities do not have the resources available to offer this service on a continuous basis to local residents. By better estimating paint needs per project, and identifying reuse and recycling options, you can reduce the over purchasing of paint and minimize the amount of paint being sent to your local landfill.

When using paint for projects in and around your home, it is always best to purchase and use only the amount of paint you will actually need for the job. Buying only what you need not only cuts down on the amount of leftover paint for storage, reuse or disposal, but it also saves you money!

To minimize the quantity of paint that must be managed:

• Buy only what you need. By calculating the correct amount of paint needed for a specific project area, you can reduce the amount of leftover paint. The paint specialist or retailer helping you select your paint and paint products should be able to assist you with your calculations. Click here to locate a variety of online paint calculators.
• Continue painting your project until all the paint is gone.
• Use up any leftover paint on another project if possible.
• Consider using leftover paint as an undercoat (not as a primer) if you have a bright colored wall needing to be painted a lighter color.
• Pour paint into another container to keep paint fresh. By not painting directly out of the paint can, you can minimize introducing mold or bacteria into the paint resulting in the spoiling of leftover paint.
• Store paint properly with the lid secured. Some programs recommend storing the paint can upside-down to create a tight seal and prevent the paint from drying out; however, if the paint is stored for a long period, the paint may solidify on the lid making it difficult to reopen. Check with your local program to see what they recommend.
• Reuse your paint applicators by cleaning them in a bucket or container. This will further reduce the amount of waste being generated from a paint project. Be sure to follow any specific directions on the manufacturer’s label of the paint and/or paint related products.