Trash Talk: Carboard, Paint and Large Metal Item Disposal

The Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Council will be featuring “Trash Talk”  monthly. This month we’re discussing sustainable ways to dispose of cardboard, paint and large metal items!

If you have questions about trash or recycling, email sac@eastgoshen.org

Should I break down my boxes or just lay next to the recycling can?
You should break down the cardboard box and put it inside the bin – especially if the weather looks wet. Paper and pulp only have value as recyclables if they are dry.

Paint disposal confuses me.
Latex paint can go in the regular trash after the paint has been hardened or absorbed. Take the top off the paint can and place it outside, away from pets and children. Allow it to harden. If the can is very full, absorb the material by mixing it with paint hardener (sold at hardware stores), sawdust, clay-based cat litter, or rags. Stir with a stick until all the paint is absorbed. When the paint is solidified, it can be discarded with your regular trash.
Oil paint, stain, paint thinner and spray paint can only be disposed of at a Household Hazardous Waste event. Check Chester County Solid Waste Authority for upcoming events.

I have an old metal file cabinet I’d like to get rid of – what’s the most sustainable way to do it?
Let’s keep it out of the landfill. We in East Goshen are lucky that in the West Chester borough has a metal recycling facility(www.wc-recycling.com) that accepts items like this for drop off. If it has no reuse value then taking it here keeps it out of the landfill.