Now let’s suppose you did some painting with oil-based paint and just finished cleaning a brush with paint thinner. What do you think you’d do with the dirty thinner? If you’re like most people, you’d probably toss it out.

Well if you did, you’d be wasting it, as well as polluting the environment. For that solvent can be reclaimed and used over and over and over again, at least for cleaning purposes. The following experiment will tell you how.

Actually, what you’re going to do is more than just an experiment. It’s a genuine and practical act of recycling. And it couldn’t be easier.

All you have to do is put the dirty thinner in one of the coffee cans, cover the can, and put it on a shelf. That’s it. In a couple of weeks, the suspended material will settle to the bottom of the can, leaving clear thinner at the top. Pour the clear thinner into the other coffee can; and presto, there’s your recycled thinner, ready for action.