DEP Collecting Latex Paint for Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha and Putnam ReStore on Oct. 23, 2015

​​CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, for the third year in a row, will be collecting latex paint for recycling at the agency’s headquarters at 601 57th Street in Kanawha City. Paint can be dropped off in the garage area at the back of the building on Oct. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oil-based paint cannot be accepted.

The paint dropped off will be donated to the Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha and Putnam (counties) to be recycled. It will be filtered, strained and blended to produce a useful product that will then be sold at the Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.

In addition to oil-based paint, other substances that cannot be accepted at the Oct. 23 paint drive include stains, epoxy, chemicals, liquids in unmarked containers and paint thinner.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that every homeowner in the country has at least three gallons of unused paint, and at least 10 percent of that paint will never brighten a room or give new life to a piece of old furniture. Instead, it will go to a landfill.

Paint donation and recycling is the most environmentally responsible way to dispose of unused paint. If paint donation and recycling is not possible, the best way to prevent the paint from becoming an environmental concern is to either harden the unused latex paint with sawdust or use it on a piece of cardboard before throwing it in the trash.

The best way to get rid of unused and unwanted oil-based paint is to donate it to organizations such as community service groups or a local theater group. Oil-based paint should never be poured down a drain.

For more DEP news and information, go to www.dep.wv.gov. Also, be sure to connect with the agency on all social media platforms. Follow @DEPWV on Twitter and find us on YouTube by searching “Environment Matters.” For specific information about our REAP (Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan), West Virginia Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), West Virginia Watershed Improvement Branch, Youth Environmental Program and Human Resources initiatives, connect on Facebook.