Latex and water-based paints can be thrown away because they are not considered hazardous. If you have old paint cans lying around and need to dispose of them, you can throw them away. Unfortunately, these cans are not recyclable. All you have to do is make sure that they are well cleaned and free of any old paint that may be stuck or hardened on the paint can before discarding it.
You cannot throw paint, paint thinners, lacquers or wood dyes in a garbage container, with the exception of latex paints. If you've emptied a can of paint, allow the residue to air dry and recycle the can with other metals. Check with your waste hauler first, but many community recycling programs accept paint cans this way, Berry said. Find and call your local trash can consultant today for advice on how to dispose of paint in your local area.
Just as there are rules about what you can throw in the trash on the sidewalk, there are also guidelines to follow when it comes to renting a dumpster. Car batteries and dry-cell batteries cannot be thrown in a landfill because they can spill chemicals that harm the environment. In some places, you're limited to the amount of green waste you can send to a landfill, while in others you can fill a garbage container to its limit. Heavy debris, such as concrete, asphalt and brick, can be thrown into most containers, but due to their weight, some companies require the use of specific containers designed for heavy materials.
Toys, curtains, rugs, old documents, cardboard, and similar non-organic trash can also be put in a trash bin.
