Painting is an investment in your home or property; understandably, you want to make the most of your money. It can be hard to order the exact amount of paint you need for your project, whether it’s an interior remodel or a fresh coat for your home’s exterior. Most people prefer to err on the side of too-much paint versus not enough. However, it leaves you with extra material you don’t want just sitting in your basement or garage. Recycling paint is an excellent way to minimize waste and save money on future painting projects. This blog offers several tips to help you recycle paint and make the most of your leftover paint.

7 ways to recycle paint

Donate unused paint

Donating your leftover gallons to local schools, community centers, or non-profit organizations can help put it to good use and prevent it from going to waste.

• Pros: You're giving back to the community and helping others.
• Cons: You'll need to transport the paint to the donation location, which can be time-consuming and may incur costs. Finding non-profits that accept paint donations can be challenging.

Use small amounts for touch-ups

If you have small amounts of paint left over from previous projects, use it for touch-ups around your home or property.

• Pros: You'll be able to put your leftover paint to good use and save money on future touch-up projects.
• Cons: As the paint ages, the color may alter slightly and result in visible touch-up spots.

Store leftover paint properly

Proper storage can help extend the life of your leftover paint and prevent it from drying out or becoming unusable.

• Pros: You'll be able to use your leftover paint on future projects, saving you money.
• Cons: Storing paint can be space-consuming, and you'll need to ensure it's stored in a cool, dry place to prevent deterioration. You also may want to use different colors for your next project.

Mix leftover paint together

Mixing leftover paint from different projects can help create new colors and reduce waste.

• Pros: You can create unique colors and reduce waste, which is environmentally friendly.
• Cons: The color may turn out differently than you had hoped, or you might end up with a color you love but not enough to complete a project.

Use for crafts or DIY projects

Leftover paint can be used for DIY projects or arts and crafts, such as painting furniture or renovating small spaces in the home.

• Pros: You can put your leftover paint to use and create DIY or upcycled items for your home.
• Cons: The color may not be ideal for your intended project, which means you’ll have to re-paint again.

Trade with friends or neighbors

Consider trading leftover paint with friends, family, or neighbors who may need paint for their projects.

• Pros: You can reduce waste and help others while getting new paint colors for your projects.
• Cons: Not everyone may be interested in trading, and you may not be able to get enough of a single color to finish a project, leading to purchasing more paint.

Repurpose as a base coat

Leftover paint can be used as a base coat for future painting projects, saving you money and reducing waste.

• Pros: You can save money on future projects, even if it’s re-painting a room in your home or your property’s exterior.
• Cons: The color may not be suitable for a project, and using a too-bright or too-dark color for your base coat can cause more problems than it solves.

Use UCI Paints for your projects to get high-quality, long-lasting paint that’s easy to recycle.

UCI Paints creates high-quality coatings designed and manufactured for the sub-tropical Florida climate. Because of this, it’s easier than ever to minimize waste and save money on future painting projects by recycling paint. Whether you donate your unused paint, use small amounts for touch-ups, or mix it with other colors, there are lots of options to help you make the most of your leftover paint.

When you have leftover paint from a project, remember to store it in a cool, dry place and follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper storage and disposal. Contact UCI Paints for a product designed and manufactured specifically for Florida.