Household Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous Waste
- Household hazardous products should be used and disposed of properly.
- Many of the products used in and around the home, such as paint, pesticides, cleaning products and bleach, contain hazardous chemicals.
- Learn more about Household Hazardous Waste at the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program website.
- Household hazardous products that can not be used up or given to someone else, should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Shed at:
- Factoria Transfer Station, 13800 SE 32nd St., Bellevue
- Call the Household Hazards Line at 206-296-4692 for hours of operation and directions
Paint - Use It Up, Dry It Out
Latex Paint Disposal Policy Changes for King County residents
Save a trip – Dry it out!
Starting January 1, 2008, King County’s Local Hazardous Waste Management Program collection facilities (Factoria and the Wastemobile) will not accept latex paint. Recent research shows that latex paint can safely be put in the garbage if it’s dry or solidified first. Residents should dry out latex paint and put it in the garbage.
How do I know if my paint is latex based or oil based?
Look on the paint can for key words. Latex paint is also called “water based,” cleans up with water and dries on your walls in about an hour. Oil paint is also called “alkyd” paint, cleans with solvent and not water, does not come in plastic containers and dries slowly (overnight). Oil paint is hazardous and should be brought to the hazardous waste collection facilities, for more information visit King County Hazardous Disposal Line or call 206-296-4692.
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Use water-based (latex) paint and paint products rather than oil-based. Latex products are:
- Considered safer to use
- Free of flammable solvents
- Cleaned up with water instead of thinner
- Easier to dispose of
- After a project, think of ways to use up leftover paint.
- For latex paint only: If a latex paint can is almost empty, the remaining latex paint can be dried out and placed into the garbage with the lid off. Leaving the lid off lets the garbage collector know the can does not contain wet paint.
Three easy ways to dry out latex paint:
- When one inch or less paint is left in the can remove the paint can lid and let the paint dry out in the can. This method is most effective in the warmer months. (Protect from rain, freezing, curious children and animals.)
- Mix kitty litter, into the latex paint and allow mixture to dry. Use a 50/50 mixture for fast drying time.
- Mix a commercial paint hardener such as “Waste Away” with latex paint according to the directions.
Once the latex paint has hardened or solidified, put the can in your garbage container. Leave the lid off so the garbage truck drivers can see that the paint can is empty or contains only dried paint.
Never put wet paint into the garbage!
If you have any questions about drying latex paint or have large quantities of latex paint to dry out, contact King County Solid Waste Division or call 206-296-4466, 1-800-325-6165 ext. 6-4466.
