Where do Paint thinner, white spirit and turpentine go?
Solvents are flammable liquids with low flash points, which makes them a fire risk in a compactor and a serious contaminant in water. Poured down a sink they pass through treatment poorly and kill the bacteria a septic system depends on. Used thinner can usually be reclaimed at home: leave it to stand in a sealed jar until the pigment settles, decant the clear solvent for reuse, and take only the sludge for disposal. Whatever is left goes to a household hazardous waste collection in the original labelled container. Hazardous waste collections run to different schedules in every area, so find out how yours works before the tin is in the car.
How to prepare it
- Let dirty thinner settle in a sealed jar, then pour off and reuse the clear liquid.
- Keep it in the original container so the collection point knows what it is.
- Store away from heat and ignition sources while it waits.
What not to do
- Never pour solvent down a sink, drain or toilet — it destroys septic systems and reaches watercourses.
- Never leave solvent-soaked rags in a pile; oil-based finishes generate heat as they cure and rags have self-ignited.
Kerbside collection rules genuinely vary by council and county, and local rules always win over general guidance. The reasoning above is what transfers — if your service differs, it will usually be for a reason described here.
Other things that go to hazardous waste collection
- Pesticides, weedkiller and insecticide Hazardous waste collection, in the original container with the label intact.
- Asbestos Do not break it, do not drill it, do not sweep it. It needs a licensed route, and most household waste centres take it only by prior arrangement.
- Old petrol and diesel Hazardous waste collection. Stale fuel is still fully flammable.
- Bleach, drain cleaner and household chemicals Use them up as directed if you can. Anything left over goes to hazardous waste, in its own container.
- Mercury thermometers and thermostats Hazardous waste. Never in a bin, and never vacuum a spill.
- Antifreeze and screenwash Hazardous waste. Ethylene glycol tastes sweet and kills cats, dogs and children.
- Fertiliser, lawn feed and pool chemicals Hazardous waste. Oxidisers and concentrated fertiliser are reactive, not just polluting.
Common questions
- Where do Paint thinner, white spirit and turpentine go?
- Hazardous waste collection. Flammable, and lethal to a septic tank or a river.
- What happens if you put Paint thinner, white spirit and turpentine in the wrong bin?
- Never pour solvent down a sink, drain or toilet — it destroys septic systems and reaches watercourses. Never leave solvent-soaked rags in a pile; oil-based finishes generate heat as they cure and rags have self-ignited.
Related pages
- Where do Pesticides, weedkiller and insecticide go? Hazardous waste collection, in the original container with the label intact.
- Where do Asbestos go? Do not break it, do not drill it, do not sweep it. It needs a licensed route, and most household waste centres take it only by prior arrangement.
- Where do Old petrol and diesel go? Hazardous waste collection. Stale fuel is still fully flammable.
- Where do Bleach, drain cleaner and household chemicals go? Use them up as directed if you can. Anything left over goes to hazardous waste, in its own container.
- Where do Mercury thermometers and thermostats go? Hazardous waste. Never in a bin, and never vacuum a spill.
- Where do Antifreeze and screenwash go? Hazardous waste. Ethylene glycol tastes sweet and kills cats, dogs and children.
- Where do Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
- Where do Lithium-ion batteries go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
- Where do Vapes and disposable e-cigarettes go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
- Where do Medicines and tablets go? Pharmacy
- Where do Pizza boxes go? Kerbside recycling bin
- Where do Leftover wet paint go? Household waste recycling centre
Sources
- US Environmental Protection Agency — EPA (Public domain (US Government))