Small quantities of unusable water-based and oil-based paint may be safely disposed of by allowing the liquid to evaporate in an open place; then throw away hardened material in the trash.

Paint can be dried more quickly by pouring half-inch layers into a cardboard box lined with plastic or newspaper or into a box filled with sand, vermiculite or kitty litter.

Once the liquid evaporates, the remaining chemicals are locked into the solids and won't leach into the soil.

However, burning the solids releases the chemicals and may raise the level of mercury and other potentially toxic chemicals in the ash. For that reason, if your community incinerates trash, check with the waste department to see whether you need to separate organic paint solids from the trash to be burned.

Paint or any other home product containing an organic solvent SHOULD NOT be evaporated in urban areas experiencing summer ozone alerts due to smog conditions. You can use it, share it or wait out the ozone alert.

TO EVAPORATE: Move the container to a sheltered, secure area away from flames, children and pets. Open the lid and allow liquid to dry. Discard hardened material in the trash.