Skip to: site menu | section menu | main content
GUIDE TO SAFE DISPOSAL OF ARTISTS’ MATERIALS The key to any good waste management program is to focus on reducing and reusing materials and safely diverting hazardous materials. Purchase in as small a quantity as possible. Large quantities of toxic and flammable materials pose both a health hazard and a storage and disposal problem. Do not burn these materials, as this releases harmful toxins into the air. Powdered art materials should be stored in metal or plastic containers. Many art materials can be used or reused by someone else. Share materials with other artists. Non-hazardous art materials may be donated to art centres or schools. Check the MSDS of paint pigments, oils etc to be sure they do not contain lead, chromium or other hazardous metals. Store rags in metal fire-proof containers and empty daily. Hang oily rags in a well-ventilated area outside, or place in a pail of water. When dry, dispose of in regular garbage. For information on the safe storage and handling of flammable, hazardous materials contact the Thunder Bay Fire Department. Acid and alkali solutions used in photography and printmaking should be neutralized before slowly pouring down the sink with lots of water. (Baking soda for acids, citric acid for alkalis)Always pour acid into water, never the reverse to avoid splattering of acid. Never pour organic solvents such as turpentine and minerals spirits down the drain. This is prohibited by the City’s sewer use bylaw and could result in an explosive atmosphere in the sewer lines. They kill bacteria that break down other waste products. Materials may not be classified as hazardous waste, but are controlled by sewer bylaws. For more information contact: Ross Chuchman, Chief Chemist at the City of Thunder Bay’s Water Pollution Control Plant at 625-3537. Solvents may be reused: a) Slowly pour used or dirty solvents through fine steel mesh or coffee filter, inserted in a metal funnel and into a receiving can. b) Cap and clearly label the container as to what it contains and when it was retrieved. c) Package the dirty solvents and chemicals in the filter in separate containers for solvents and filters and take to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot. End-of the-Line Disposal of Artists’ Materials Aerosol spray Cans: Household Hazardous Waste Depot Liquid Glazes: Household Hazardous Waste Depot Solvent based glues and cements: Safely evaporate; Household Hazardous Waste Depot Metals with toxic compounds: Household Hazardous Waste Depot Paints, varnishes and stains; Household Hazardous Waste Depot – cannot accept paints that contain PCB’s Pesticides; Household Hazardous Waste Depot (should be in original containers) Photochemical: Household Hazardous Waste Depot Plastic Resins: Household Hazardous Waste Depot Clay, minerals: Regular garbage Dyes & Powders: Regular garbage Water based glues and cements: Allow drying. Regular garbage Wood and alloys: Construction materials lay-down area at landfill Metals: Scarp metal lay-down area at landfill This information is meant to serve as a guide only. Please note that the Household Hazardous Waste Depot is for Residential use only. It is open during regular landfill hours. For more information about the proper disposal of artists’ materials contact: Rick Latta, Supervisor – Landfill and Recycling City’s Env. Div. or Vanessa DeGiacomo, Planning & Research Analyst, City’s Env. Div: 625-3851. Habitat for Humanity’s Restore accepts a variety of materials for reuse. For more information contact them at 346-4401 or ReStore@HabitatForHumanityThunderBay.org The goal of Zero Waste is to eliminate 100% of the waste presently being generated. It is a process that unites environmental, community and economic sustainability, promotes local employment and improves a community's health and quality of life. This is achieved through resource protection, conservation and recovery, materials efficiencies, minimizing pollution, recycling and the elimination of waste. Zero Waste moves responsibility for the waste stream to the product designers, manufacturers, advertisers and consumers. It focuses on renewable resources and paying up front for the environmental and social costs. These costs occur all along the waste stream, not just when products are disposed of in landfill. Emphasis is placed on the repair, resale and reuse of durable products designed for recyclability when they outlive their usefulness. For more information about ZWAT, check out our website www.zwat.org or contact Janice by e-mail at zwatcentral@yahoo.com