Paint
When you want to spruce up your surroundings, nothing brightens up a room like a fresh coat of paint. Paint covers, protects and beautifies surfaces, and, when used properly, has little impact on the environment. However, not every can of paint gets used up, and, if improperly disposed of, leftover paint can threaten our landfills, sewers and streams.
The BUD Rule
When beginning a painting project, remember the BUD Rule. That is, Buy no more paint than you need, Use all the paint you buy, and Dispose of leftover paint safely. Ask your paint retailer to help you estimate how much paint your project will require. Not only will this save you money, but it will reduce the likelihood of having leftover paint at the end of your project.
Here you will find a list of frequently asked questions. If you still can't find what you are looking for after reviewing these questions, please feel free to contact us.
Paint FAQ's
Remember that the most cost-effective and energy efficient use for leftover paint is reuse. If you do have paint left at the end of a project, apply another coat to an area which could use extra protection. Mix smaller quantities of leftover latex paint together for use as a primer coat on a larger project. Be sure to keep a small amount of paint on hand for touchups.If you can't reuse your leftover paint, you probably know someone who can. Offer leftovers to a friend, neighbour, or your local community centre, church, or theatre group.
If you must dispose of unwanted leftover paint, be sure to do so in an environmentally safe manner. The Product Care Association has established depots in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan & New Brunswick to take back leftover household paint, varnish, shellacs and stains free of charge. When returning leftover paint, be sure to keep products in their original containers with labels on. Do not combine leftover paints with each other or with oils, solvents or other products. Make sure paint cans are properly sealed before transporting.
For more information about the Product Care program in your province or to find the paint collection depot nearest you, click here.
To properly store paint, clean the rim of the can to ensure a proper seal. Pour 1/8" (3mm) of solvent on top of oil-based paint, or 1/8" (3mm) of water on top of latex paint to seal the surface, then secure the lid. Alternatively, stretch plastic wrap over the can opening, replace the lid securely, and store paint upside down. This will create an airtight seal to keep the paint fresh until you're ready to use it again. Always store paint away from heat sources at temperatures between 3 degrees and 35 degrees Celsius, and out of the reach of children.
Fluorescent Light FAQ's
Yes! Starting July 1st 2010, BC residents will now have a safe place to take their burnt out household fluorescent lights for safe recycling.
LightRecycle is the new BC Fluorescent Lights Recycling program, brought to you by Product Care. Starting July 1, 2010, BC residents will be able to drop off their burnt-out household fluorescent lights and tubes at LightRecycle drop-off locations across BC.
Recycling your used fluorescents is easy. Simply visit www.lightrecycle.ca or call 1-800-667-4321 to find the LightRecycle drop-off location nearest you. Each LightRecycle location will have a box where you can drop off your burnt-out fluorescent lights and tubes, free of charge.
Remember to handle fluorescent lights carefully. Do not break or puncture them.
It is important to keep fluorescent lights out of our landfills. Fluorescent lights contain a small amount of mercury that makes them energy-efficient. Returning them to a LightRecycle drop-off keeps them out of the landfill, ensures the mercury is safely managed and as many materials as possible are recycled.
Residential use fluorescent tube lights and compact fluorescents (“CFLs”) are accepted by the program. Fluorescent lights and tubes can be identified by the marking for mercury (Hg) on the base of the bulb.
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Compact fluorescents (or “CFLs”) are energy-efficient lights commonly recognized by their spiral or twist shape; however, but they can also be shaped as loops, or covered by a bulb-shaped glass cover.
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Fluorescent tubes come in various lengths (4 foot is the most common) and are also identified by their diameter, known as T12s, T8s and T5s. Most are straight but they can be curved or shaped.
LightRecycle is for residential-use compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes only (see above). LightRecycle does not accept commercial or industrial use fluorescent lights and tubes – a program for those products starts in 2012. LightRecycle does not accept incandescent or halogen lights or LEDs (e.g. Christmas tree lights).
For disposal options for lights that are not accepted in the program, call the Recycling Hotline at 604.732.9253 in the Lower Mainland and 1.800.667.4321 in the rest of BC.
LightRecycle is an “industry product stewardship” program required by BC’s Recycling Regulation. BC now has product stewarship programs for paint, tires and electronics and many other products. Manufacturers and distributors of fluorescent lights sold in BC pay an “eco fee” to fund the program for every light sold. The eco-fee may or may not appear on the retail receipt when you buy CFLs or fluorescent tubes. View Fees.
LightRecycle is managed by the Product Care Association, the industry-sponsored non-profit agency that manages product stewardship programs in BC for paint, flammable liquids, pesticides and gasoline, as well as programs in other provinces. For more information on the LightRecycle program:
1-800-667-4321
lights@productcare.org
