How to Dispose of Old Paint

Updated 2026-10-23

How you get rid of paint depends on two things: what kind of paint it is and which state you live in. Read the label first. "Latex," "acrylic" or "water-based" means one set of rules. "Oil-based," "alkyd" or "enamel" with solvent cleanup means another.

Oil-based paint

Oil-based paint, stain and varnish are flammable. EPA lists paints among the products that count as household hazardous waste (HHW) and warns against putting them in the trash, down drains or into storm sewers. Take oil-based paint to an HHW site or collection day. Keep it in the original can with the label on, and do not mix it with other products. Find a site on our hazardous waste page.

Paint thinner, mineral spirits and the rinse water from cleaning brushes also go to HHW. CalRecycle says rinse water from oil-based paint or solvents should be collected and taken to an authorized hazardous waste facility, not poured down the drain.

Latex paint

Latex paint is water-based, and the rules vary more. In many places outside California, local programs let residents dry out small amounts of latex paint and put the hardened can in the trash with the lid off. Your city or county solid waste office will tell you whether that is allowed where you live.

California is stricter. CalRecycle states that latex paint waste is presumed hazardous in California, and drying paint on purpose to dispose of it is prohibited without a hazardous waste treatment permit. Non-empty cans in California go to a PaintCare site or an HHW facility.

Most landfills refuse liquid paint of any kind. A full can of latex in your dump load can get the load rejected.

PaintCare states

PaintCare is a nonprofit set up by paint manufacturers. It runs drop-off programs in states with paint stewardship laws. As of October 2026 those are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia. A small PaintCare fee is added to new paint sold in those places to fund the program.

Most PaintCare drop-off sites are paint and hardware stores, plus some HHW facilities and transfer stations. Use the site locator on paintcare.org. PaintCare also offers a Large Volume Pickup for 100 gallons or more.

PaintCare accepts:

• Latex, acrylic and water-based paint, interior and exterior.
• Oil-based, alkyd and enamel paint.
• Primers, stains, sealers, shellac and varnish.

PaintCare does not accept:

• Aerosol spray paint.
• Thinners, mineral spirits and solvents.
• Auto, marine, art and craft paints.
• Industrial coatings and two-part coatings such as epoxies.

Cans must be 5 gallons or smaller, in the original container with the manufacturer's label, with the lid on tight. PaintCare turns away open, leaking, empty or unlabeled containers. Products PaintCare refuses, like spray cans and thinner, usually go to HHW.

Use it up or give it away

PaintCare suggests measuring the room and asking the store how much to buy, so you end up with less leftover. Usable paint can go to friends, community groups, schools or theater groups. Some PaintCare sites run reuse programs that give good paint away for free or at low cost.

Empty cans

A can with only a dry skin of paint inside is no longer liquid waste. Many recycling programs take empty steel cans with the lid off. Others want them in the trash. Ask your local program.

Transporting paint

• Check that every lid is hammered shut.
• Stand cans upright in a box or plastic bin so they cannot tip.
• Keep paint out of the passenger area and away from heat.
• Do not leave cans in a hot car longer than the drive.

Our guide on what not to take to the dump lists the other items that need a special trip.

Sources: PaintCare: Paint Recycling Programs, PaintCare: Products We Accept, CalRecycle: Paint, EPA: Household Hazardous Waste