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Do you know how to get rid of your unused art supplies?

Do you know how to get rid of your unused art supplies?

Many art products contain hazardous material that should:

  • not end up in the trash, recycling or composting bins
  • not be poured down the drain

Many art products contain hazardous material that should not end up in the trash, recycling or composting bins.

SF Environment wants to help you dispose of these items properly.

ReUSE before you Refuse

If you have supplies that are usable, but you don't need anymore, send them to SCRAP which is a non-profit creative reuse center in San Francisco, or find other organizations that will reuse your art materials.

Dispose properly

Professional artists:

Call Recology SF Very Small Quantity
Generator Program
(415) 330-1425

Hobbyists:

For free disposal call Recology SF Household Hazardous Waste Home Collection Program
(415) 330-1405

All of these items are hazardous waste and cannot be poured down the drain or thrown in landfill

Used or Unused Solvent

Solvents such as paint thinners, turpentine, mineral spirits and citrus solvents

Rinse Water

Rinse water from acrylic and water color paint can contain plastic agents from the acrylics, or toxic elements found in pigments, which should not get in to our waterways. Store it to a closed container till you dispose of it.

Paints and Pigments

Paints (oil based and water based) contain oils, heavy metals or preservatives that are not safe to pour down the drain

Rags and Tarps

Never put used rags in the landfill, compost or recycling bin. You can store them for disposal immersed in water in a closed container. Do not pile or stack used rags. Do not store in plastic containers, since most solvents will dissolve the plastic. Rags and tarps soaked with solvents are highly flammable and should be put in a metal, flame-proof container or allowed to dry in an open well ventilated space. Even when dry, these rags should be considered hazardous.

Items with Prop 65 labels

Artist supplies with Prop 65 labels contain chemical(s) known to the State of California to cause cancer. Note: There is no "standardized" Prop 65 label, so read labels closely.

Full or partly full aerosol cans

Full or partly full aerosol cans contain substances that are hazardous and must NOT go in any landfill, recycling, or composting bin. Remember that they can be donated for reuse.

Empty aerosol cans

Empty aerosol cans, when both product and propellant have been completely discharged can be recycled in your blue bin.