Tips and Tricks: Avant-propos

PRODUCTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Because of the ingredients they contain, paint products are subject to environmental protection standards. These standards apply to the manufacturing, transportation and distribution of such products. Environmental protection also requires proper methods of waste disposal.

Waste Disposal

A certain number of environmental precautions are involved in waste disposal. Here are some practical waste-disposal tips.

Generally speaking:
  • Only buy the amount of coating you need for the job.>
     
  • You can alternately give leftover paint to someone or some group that needs it, like a neighbor, friend, recreational service or nonprofit organization. However, make sure the paint is in its original container, with the label intact.
     
  • Dispose of coatings on your community’s hazardous waste pickup day. If there is none, contact the provincial environmental protection organization for disposal information.
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    Sealants:

  • Empty water-based or silicone–based sealant cartridges on an old newspaper and let the leftover sealant dry out in a well-ventilated area, away from children. After a few weeks, discard of the residues into household trash.
     
  • If you are left with some water-based sealant and want to keep it for future use, fasten an airtight cellophane cover over the tip. This will allow you to keep the sealant for a few months.
     
  • If you are left with some solvent-based sealant and want to keep it for future use, fasten an airtight aluminum cover on the tip. This will allow you to keep the sealant for about 2 days. Force out a few inches of sealant before reuse.

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    Adhesives:

    • Let water-based residues dry for a few weeks in their open containers, then throw the containers in the trash. Do not release solvent-based residues on the ground and do not discard them in the trash since spontaneous combustion remains a risk.
       
    • Empty water-based adhesive cartridges on an old newspaper and let the leftover dry out in a well-ventilated area, away from children. After a few weeks, discard of the residues into household trash.
       
    • If you are left with some water-based cartridge adhesive and want to keep it for future use, fasten an airtight cellophane cover over the tip. This will allow you to keep the sealant for a few months.
       
    • If you are left with some solvent-based cartridge adhesive and want to keep it for future use, fasten an airtight aluminum cover on the tip. This will allow you to keep the sealant for about 2 days. Force out a few inches of sealant before reuse.