The Haz Guide

Paint and varnish formulations have changed significantly over the past few years with elimination/reduction in the heavy metals used and a move towards the use of water-based paints. Therefore the potential hazards will depend on the age of the paint or varnish. The main hazards arising from older paint and varnish fall into two main categories: namely the presence of

If any of these are at or present above threshold concentration the Hazards H3A (first indent); H3B to H8, H10; H11 and H14 may apply. Many newer paints and varnishes may not posses these hazards because of changes in formulation and should be assessed accordingly based on their actual composition.

Water-based emulsion paints are non-hazardous for both supply and waste, however, typical solvent-based decorative paints (e.g. white spirit based glosses) are hazardous because they have a flash point in the range 21 to 55C (which means that they are dangerous for CHIP, with risk phrase R10 "Flammable", but no symbol) and hazardous as a waste (due to the H3B Hazard Property, which has a flash point range of 21 to 55C). For further detail regarding the hazard categories of decorative paint, see the household hazardous type waste product list.
All paints have the potential to create mess or nuisance, therefore according to the NHHWF definition all paints are considered to be hazardous. However, it is good practice to manage all paints as if they were hazardous, and therefore use or reuse the whole product. One means of avoiding mess and nuisance, and reducing the costs of managing paint waste, is to establish reuse schemes.

The main established organisation for reuse of paints is the Community RePaint scheme, which facilitates reuse for water-based paints (eg emulsion, eggshell) and gloss paint. Community RePaint schemes cannot deal with specialised, commercial or industrial paints and paint-related materials (such as thinners, cleaners and paint strippers). However, the majority of paints deposited at HWRCs should not fall into the latter category. The national Community RePaint scheme can provide guidance on the types of paints that can be accepted and their identification.

Paint identified as being flammable or hazardous are not reusable within the Community RePaint scheme. These paints should be stored in an appropriate, locked flammables or chemicals safe to await collection by a disposal contractor.

The industry is considering voluntary producer responsibility and further details are available here.