Catch 22 and a tin of paint, Recycling the unrecyclable Options

[regor]

Yesterday, Wednesday, I took myself to the recycling facility on the south side of town with a mixed carload of "stuff".
All went well at first, 'wood' to the 'wood skip', 'cardboard' to the 'cardboard skip' etc until we came to the topic of 'Paint'. I asked the staff where the paint collection point was situated, (there used to be one at the old site) but was told that -
1. They could take oil based gloss paint because it was classed as a hazard and they had a duty to take hazardous items from the public.
2. They could take old dried up paint provided it had decomposed into a solid.
3. They could NOT TAKE any water based paint that was still liquid or semi-liquid.

I accepted this and went to put the water based paint in the general waste container but was stopped and told that it could not be taken as it was forbidden to put paint into landfill.

"So what should I do with this unwanted, part used water based paint." I enquired.
"That's your problem Guv, but don't you dare try putting it in your dustbin or the council will 'ave you." was the general sense of the various replies.

Suggestions to date include,
(a) Put it at the back of the attic and hope your grandchildren can dispose of it.
( Paint 20 coats on a bit of wood and take that to the recycling facility.
© Leave outside the front door - somebody is certain to steal it.
(d) Keep moving it around until eventually you loose it.


So I turn to the forum with its wealth of wit and wisdom in search of any further suggestions

[JMH]

So I turn to the forum with its wealth of wit and wisdom in search of any further suggestions

If it's water based can't you just 'wash' it down your drains?

(now waiting for the fallout from that comment )

[Guest_Newburymafia_*]

Join a "fur is murder" campaign, go stand outside Harrods, and slosh it over the first person who walks out with a chinchilla draped around their neck.

[TallDarkAndHands...]

If it's water based can't you just 'wash' it down your drains?

(now waiting for the fallout from that comment )

Leave it outside your front door. A chav will almost certainly steal it within a few days and perform some local artwork with it.

[Iommi]

regor, I had this issue many months back. I haven't, but you could just drive to a secluded spot in the country side and sling it in the ditch. Then it becomes someone else's problem.

[Bloggo]

regor, I had this issue many months back. I haven't, but you could just drive to a secluded spot in the country side and sling it in the ditch. Then it becomes someone else's problem.

Next time you go to the dump leave it against the wall and drive off. It's their responsibility to dispose of or recycle. Isn't this what we pay them for?

[dannyboy]

regor, I had this issue many months back. I haven't, but you could just drive to a secluded spot in the country side and sling it in the ditch. Then it becomes someone else's problem.

unfortunately too many people think this is exactly what you do.

[Bloggo]

unfortunately too many people think this is exactly what you do.

It's not surprising though is it if the place where you responsibly take your waste refuse to accept it.
It seems nonsense to be that they won't accept paint, a load of bureaucratic clap-trap.

[misc]

On a semi-related note, I went to drop off some old CRT computer monitors at the tip a few weeks ago. I was told that because I had more than three monitors in the car, this was classed as a "business" disposal and they wouldn't take them. I asked if I could drop off three of them now and then come back another day, but they told me that I'd been seen on the CCTV entering the tip with more than three, so they couldn't take any of them. In the end I was advised to go home, then come back with only three monitors in the car.

Utterly bizarre...

[Bloggo]

On a semi-related note, I went to drop off some old CRT computer monitors at the tip a few weeks ago. I was told that because I had more than three monitors in the car, this was classed as a "business" disposal and they wouldn't take them. I asked if I could drop off three of them now and then come back another day, but they told me that I'd been seen on the CCTV entering the tip with more than three, so they couldn't take any of them. In the end I was advised to go home, then come back with only three monitors in the car.

Utterly bizarre...

It's nonsense isn't it. The tail is wagging the dog.

[misc]

It's nonsense isn't it. The tail is wagging the dog.

To be fair, the guys at the tip seemed to agree that it was totally stupid. They told me that the only reason they went along with it was because it was all on camera and they could get into trouble if they went against "policy".

[Rachel]

To be fair, the guys at the tip seemed to agree that it was totally stupid. They told me that the only reason they went along with it was because it was all on camera and they could get into trouble if they went against "policy".

Our school used to gladly take old half used pots of paint, used it for art & white was watered down for pitch marking....might be worth offering to your local school?
Failling that, take it back to B&Q/Homebase/DIY shop, doubt they could refuse to take it?
Or why don't you set up a paint re-use centre-we'll all bring our paint pots to you & you can mix them together & sell it on

[Bloggo]

To be fair, the guys at the tip seemed to agree that it was totally stupid. They told me that the only reason they went along with it was because it was all on camera and they could get into trouble if they went against "policy".

Yes, but it is a demonstration of blind obedience without exercising any common sense.
The result being you having to make several polution generating car journeys in order to comply with an inappropriate directive in your case.

[dannyboy]

It's nonsense isn't it. The tail is wagging the dog.

It is what happens when you sub-contract out work.

The subcontractor uses every devious little trick so as to do as little work as possible, and charge as much as possible as often as possible for contract variations.

[Biker1]

Reading seem to have it sorted so why can't we?

Follow the link here and it says "Small numbers (of paint tins) from DIY work, can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Several charities collect tins of usable surplus paint."

[x2lls]

On a semi-related note, I went to drop off some old CRT computer monitors at the tip a few weeks ago. I was told that because I had more than three monitors in the car, this was classed as a "business" disposal and they wouldn't take them. I asked if I could drop off three of them now and then come back another day, but they told me that I'd been seen on the CCTV entering the tip with more than three, so they couldn't take any of them. In the end I was advised to go home, then come back with only three monitors in the car.

Utterly bizarre...

Have two friends each take one

[Andy]

Reading seem to have it sorted so why can't we?

Follow the link here and it says "Small numbers (of paint tins) from DIY work, can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Several charities collect tins of usable surplus paint."

It would seem they have an arrangement with charities to collect the paint, which Newbury probably doesn't at present

[Iommi]

I don't know if it still does, but the Greenham Project used to supply used tins of paint. Contact them if you have a surplus.

[Guest_Bill1_*]

Go down into town with it and paint in large letters on the road "Read these signs" with arrows pointing to the many rising bollard warning notices that are often ignored. They'd probably not notice these too, but it's worth a go Eh?

[Jayjay]

So I turn to the forum with its wealth of wit and wisdom in search of any further suggestions
[/quote]

Newbury Community Furniture, 01635 43933, will take it.