Get Rid Of Your Old Cans Of Paint This Weekend In Western New York

For years, you've been saving every single can of paint that ever went on the walls of your house on a shelf in your basement or garage. Now it's 30 years later, and you haven't touched a single can of it. It's just been sitting there going bad. So what can you do with it?

You cannot throw paint in the trash in New York State

There is a list of things that have been established by the NYS DEC (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) that are actually illegal to throw in your trash. They're trying to protect the environment by banning these things from ending up in landfills. The list includes everything from tires and car batteries, to things that are less obvious like newspapers (yes, newspapers are actually illegal to throw out).

Read More: Careful! 7 Items That Are Illegal To Throw In The Trash In NY

Paint is also on that list. To see the full list of things that are banned from landfills in New York, click here.

What would happen if you threw something in the trash that was on the list?

Chances are, if it's a small enough quantity of it, nothing will happen. You could get a fine, but you'll probably get a warning first. The biggest fine is for illegal dumping. That could cost you anywhere between $4000 - $18,000 and include vehicle impound.

Dispose of your paint in a safer way

Because paint is on that list, the county and state where you live will sometimes offer up events where you can drop cans off and dispose of them safely. One of those events is coming up this weekend. You'll be able to drop off your old paint at the Erie County Fairgrounds this Saturday.

They do ask that you register first. Spots are still available for now, but they do go quickly. Click here for more information on how to register.

Lists of items they can and cannot accept

Items we accept:

• Interior and exterior architectural paints: latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, enamel (including textured coatings)
• Deck coatings, floor paints (including elastomeric)
• Primers, sealers, undercoaters
• Stains
• Shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, urethanes (single component)
• Waterproofing concrete/masonry/wood sealers and repellents (not tar or bitumen-based)
• Metal coatings, rust preventatives
• Field and lawn paints

Items we don't accept:

• Paint thinners, mineral spirits, solvents
• Aerosol coatings
• Auto and marine paints
• Art and craft paints
• Caulking compounds, epoxies, glues, adhesives
• Paint additives, colorants, tints, resins
• Wood preservatives (containing pesticides)
• Roof patch and repair
• Asphalt, tar and bitumen-based products
• 2-component coatings
• Deck cleaners
• Traffic and road marking paints
• Industrial Maintenance (IM) coatings
• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) (shop application) paints and finishes