Paints/Glazes Best Practices 

Even when not required by environmental regulations, the following best practices are recommended. In some instances, best practices presented here are actually required by regulations.

In order to reduce the impacts of waste disposal on the environment and to reduce waste disposal costs, try to minimize the generation of hazardous waste. This can be done by the following:

1. Try to use water-based paint instead of oil-based paint whenever possible.
2. Buy only the quantity of material that you need to complete your project.
3. If paint or other materials are left over see if someone else can use them. Donate--don't dispose!
4. Train staff in proper painting techniques to improve painting efficiencies.
5. Use powder coats instead of liquid paints where applicable.
6. Bulk compatible paints into approved containers and transport to an approved paint recycler.
7. Establish an agreement with paint distributor to take back unused paint.
8. Store paint properly to extend its useful life, storing it in a location where it will not freeze.
9. Dry up small quantities of latex paint that don't meet the hazardous waste definition and dispose of this material in the regular trash.
10. Place aerosol cans that have no pressure and no content through normal use into the regular trash or scrap metal recycling.
11. Investigate the use of non-heavy metal-based glazes.

Best practices related to waste handling and disposal include the following suggested activities:

1. Perform regular housekeeping activities in waste storage areas.
2. Reuse or recycle materials whenever possible.
3. Inspect waste management areas for spills and waste management containers for leaks.
4. Track waste generated, evaluate the process generating the waste and look for ways to reduce waste generation.
5. Characterize waste streams.
6. Find substitutes for harmful chemicals; properly dispose of unusable chemical inventory.
7. Segregate and separate wastes.
8. Do not dispose of liquid wastes such as oils or hazardous materials into dumpsters or drains.
9. Maintain adequate supplies of spill response equipment and materials in accessible locations near areas where spills may be likely to occur.
10. Perform and document in a logbook periodic inspections of hazardous and non-hazardous waste storage areas. Inspection items should include the following: external corrosion, structural failure, spills and overfills due to operator error, failure of piping system (pipes, pumps, flanges, couplings, hoses, and valves), visually inspect new tanks or containers for loose fittings, poor welds, and improper or poorly fitted gaskets, and inspect tank foundations and storage area coatings.

Training employees in proper procedures to reduce your facility's impact on the environment is a best practice. More detailed training information is provided in the regulatory requirements sections of the tour. Employee training may include the following:

1. Spill response training for personnel who handle hazardous materials,
2. Right-to-know training to inform users of the dangers inherent to the hazardous materials being used, and
3. Hazardous materials management.