• Use water-based paints instead of oil-based paints whenever possible.
• When spray painting, use smaller paint containers to minimize waste. Low volume, high pressure sprayers control over-spray, reducing paint waste.
• Mix paint indoors before starting work to minimize the opportunity for spills to enter storm drains.
• Use impermeable ground cloths while painting. Place paint cans in larger pans to contain drips and spills.
• Immediately clean up any spills that occur. Capture spills before they enter storm drains and clean them up using absorbents or other dry methods.
• It is illegal to pour paint, solvent, clean-up water or any other wastes down a storm drain or onto the ground. Recycle solvents and use excess paints elsewhere on-site or donate them to a local school or community group.
• Completely empty paint cans and let them air dry before disposing of them.
• If you're using water-based paint, clean brushes and equipment in a sink connected to the sanitary sewer. If you're using oil-based paint, contain waste paint and solvents for reuse, recycling or disposal as hazardous waste. Never pour paint down a drain.
• Use water-based thinners instead of petroleum-based thinners, if possible. Filter and reuse paint thinners until they're no longer effective, and recycle them through a commercial recycling service.

Getting Help
City of Farmington, Department of Public Services
(248) 473-7250

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
(800) 662-9278