How to Dispose of Nail Polish

Last Updated: March 7, 2020

When you get tired of your old nail polish colors, or the bottles are almost empty and you want to throw them out, it’s important to dispose of them in the proper way. You may not know that those bottles of nail polish you are thinking about throwing away are actually considered a household hazardous waste, so make sure to dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way or reuse them for something else!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Reusing and Getting Rid of Nail Polish

1
Donate bottles of nail polish that still have a useable amount in them. Find a donation center in your area and call to ask if they will receive nail polish. There are many people that would be happy to use up your unwanted nail polish.^{[1]
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- See if you can give your old nail polish to friends if you can’t find a donation center that will take them.
2
Use clear nail polish to keep threads or shoelaces from unraveling. Paint over fraying threads on clothing or the ends of shoelaces to keep them together. Use a thin coat and reapply if you need more.^{[2]
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- You can also use clear nail polish on the end of a sewing thread to make it easier to put through a needle.
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3
Paint or repair scratched items in your home with colored nail polish. Color code things like keys that you want to easily differentiate with your leftover colored nail polish. Fill in scratches on shoes with a similar color of nail polish.^{[3]
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- There are all kinds of different uses for colored nail polish around the home. You never know when it could come in handy, so consider storing those unwanted bottles somewhere out of the way instead of throwing them out.
4
Mix together old nail polish colors you don’t want anymore to create new ones. Experiment with unwanted nail polish colors by mixing them together on a plastic paint palette. This will save you from having to buy a new color that you are able to make yourself!
- Layer different colors in one bottle to create a marble effect.
5
Pour out nail polish out on newspaper and dispose of the empty bottle. Let the nail polish dry completely then throw out the newspaper. Leave the cap off the bottle and let it dry up as well, then screw the cap back on tightly and put the bottle in the recycling.^{[4]
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- Do this only as a last resort if you cannot donate or reuse your nail polish because nail polish is a hazardous waste.
- Make sure the nail polish is completely dried up on the newspaper and the bottles are totally empty before you dispose of them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Recycling Old Nail Polish

1
Find a hazardous waste recycling center or service in your area. Most cities are required to have a hazardous waste disposal center. Look online or in a phone book to find waste disposal services and call around to see if they will take your old nail polish.^{[5]
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- You could also try calling a salon in your area to see if they can advise you where to dispose of your old nail polish.
- It is important to dispose of nail polish professionally and safely so that the potentially toxic chemicals it contains do no leak into the ground and water supply in your area.
EXPERT TIP

Kathryn Kellogg
Sustainability Specialist
Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. She's the author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic.

Kathryn Kellogg
Sustainability Specialist

You can also check for hazardous waste drop-off or pick-up near you. Kathryn Kellogg, author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste, says: "According to the EPA, nail polish is household hazardous waste, so it shouldn't be poured down the drain or put in the recycling bin or the landfill. However, in many places, there's a designated time to drop off hazardous waste, so check with your local waste management facility."
2
Take the old bottles of nail polish to the recycling center or get them picked up. Call the recycling center or service and ask what their hours are, and if they have any special instructions for dropping off your nail polish or to schedule a pickup. Follow the instructions to properly dispose of your bottles of nail polish.^{[6]
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- Ask the recycling center if they have a fee and how it can be paid when you drop off your old nail polish.
- This is a good time to get rid of any other hazardous household wastes you have lying around at home. This includes things like batteries, old paint and paint thinner, and used cooking oil.
3
Buy environmentally friendly nail polish and other cosmetics in the future. This will save you from having to find a hazardous waste disposal service to get rid of old nail polish. There are many great brands out there that are doing their part to help the environment by creating non-toxic cosmetics.
- Non-toxic nail polishes are better for your nails as well!
EXPERT TIP

"If you want to use a more eco-friendly option, look for 5-free and 7-free nail polishes."

Kathryn Kellogg
Sustainability Specialist
Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. She's the author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic.

Kathryn Kellogg
Sustainability Specialist