Contact:

Meghan Jordan                                                  Fay Lim

Communications Specialist II                             Communications Supervisor

Meghan.Jordan@snoco.org                               Fay.Lim@snoco.org

425-388-3918                                                     425-388-6413

Snohomish County Solid Waste Introduces Multiple Disposal Options for Liquid Latex Paint

Paint can be dried and put in the garbage or recycled for a fee in its liquid form.

EVERETT, Wash., February 27, 2019 – Snohomish County residents have options to dispose of unwanted latex paint. It can be put in the garbage if the proper steps are taken to dry it out first, or recycled for a fee.

Snohomish County’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Station now accepts liquid latex paint for a fee.

Residents should only bring latex paint in its original container, and partial cans of paint should not be combined. The paint will be recycled by a third-party partner, reducing the amount of waste that goes into our landfills. The recycling fees are:

Containers one gallon and smaller:  

• 1-5 containers = $10               
• 6-10 containers = $20            
• 11-15 containers = $30

Five-gallon containers:              

• 1 containers = $10           
• 2 containers = $20        
• 3 containers = $30

Alternatively, latex paint can be disposed of in the garbage if the proper steps are taken to dry it out first. There are three ways latex paint can be dried out:   1. Remove the paint can lid and let the paint dry out in the can, in a well-ventilated area. Protect the paint from freezing and rain, as well as curious children and pets. This only works when an inch or less of paint is left in the can and is most effective in warmer months.   2. Mix kitty litter, mulch, soil, sawdust or shredded paper in the latex paint and allow the mixture to dry to the consistency of lumpy oatmeal. Use a 50/50 mixture for the fastest drying time.   3. Mix a commercial paint hardener such as “Waste-Away” with latex paint according to the directions.

“Keeping paint out of landfills is good for our community and the environment,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive. “We will continue to look for innovative ways to better serve our residents.”

“We are always looking for ways to protect our environment,” said Snohomish County Council Chair Terry Ryan. “Recycling paint is one more way we can reduce our waste footprint.”

“I was pleased to work with the Executive’s Office in bringing this program back to Snohomish County,” said Councilmember Sam Low. “This is a great service that provides our residents with environmentally friendly options for disposing of unwanted latex paint.”

“This is a great way to give county residents more options for paint recycling,” said Councilmember Stephanie Wright. “It is a good opportunity for our residents and the environment.”

Snohomish County’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Station is located at 3434 McDougall Ave, Everett. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility takes cash, check, debit or credit card as payment. To learn more about the facility and what is accepted, visit https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/477.

About Snohomish County Public Works

 The Snohomish County Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads; controls and manages surface water quantity, quality, and fish habitats; and oversees the recycling and disposal of solid waste. The department’s main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. For more information about Snohomish County Public Works, visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks.