Escambia County Division of Solid Waste Management Household Hazardous Waste collects latex and oil based paints for recycling. Oil based paints are decanted and sent to a processor to be recycled. Water based paint is Reblended.
Recycling of paint is accomplished one of two ways: reblending or reprocessing. Reblended paint is mixed and screened. Reprocessed paint is mixed with new material.
Locate a recycled paint dealer in your area by searching online or calling area paint dealers.
The Start of a New Program
Escambia County collects approximately 14,000 gallons of latex paint for disposal each year. To produce Reblended Paint an outlet was needed for the paint. In 2007 Escambia County Solid Waste Management and Habitat for Humanity worked out a paint partnership; Escambia County would produce Reblended Paint for use, Habitat Restore would use most of the paint.
How does the Program work?
Paint Collection
Paint is considered a Household Hazardous Waste that should be diverted from the landfill. Paint is collected at Regional Roundup's and the Citizen's Convenience Center at Perdidio Landfill.
Sorting
The paint is first sorted into two categories, water based (latex) and oil based paints. Water based paint is used for our Paint Recycling Program. Every can of paint is opened to determine quality and color and sorted accordingly.
The Process
Paint is stored until there is about 100 gallons to be mixed.
When mixing a batch, we pick like colors. The cans are opened, screened, and poured into a mixing tank. The paint is mixed approximately 2 hours then screened and decanted into 5 gallon buckets.
Paint is then labeled and stored.
Distribution
The first distribution point is Habitat for Humanity Restore. Restore sells the paint for a very low price. If Habitat Restore does not have a high demand our paint is given to local charities and non-profits upon request.
For more information contact Household Hazardous Waste at (850) 937-2156.
