Recycling old latex paint

 In my area there is no place to drop off old can of latex paint for recycling. I have a lot of old cans of paint in the basement. This is paint that was kept for touch-ups ... you know- everyone does this, right? 

After many years of sitting on the shelves in the basement, the paint is still wet and in all likelihood still usable if mixed well.  Not going to be happening on my watch. 

If there is no where to recycle it, what do I with this stuff?  In order to put it in the trash legally it has to be dry. Do you know how long it takes for a gallon of paint to dry out naturally?   Much too long!!! 

The alternative, as found in a google search, is to mix the paint with a drying agent like kitty litter or sawdust in plastic lined box and let it dry. 

I was able to get some sawdust, a big box and a plastic bag and started mixing 6 gallons of old paint. It was kind of fun! Once it’s mixed, it still needs to dry but that goes much faster. 

My first attempt - dump it on the dirt , let it dry, pick up and dump in the trash. 
Very messy and still took days!

Even the stuff in the can took a long time.

Cans with sawdust- gooie like cookie dough.

That was Monday and a week and a half later it’s going in the trash! 

The next batch will happen soon!

Recycled my paint, my basement is looking better and there will be much less to do if we ever move on.  Our children and grandchildren should thank us now!!