How to dispose of paint
Start with your city: most cities take paint through hazardous waste and drop-off sites. Choose your city below to jump to its rules, or read the options that apply anywhere.
Your city’s rules for paint
| Hazardous? | Sometimes. Oil-based paint is household hazardous waste; dried latex paint may be trashed where allowed (e.g., Wisconsin DNR: latex = "Pitch it", oil-based = "Take it"). EPA lists paints among HHW. (epa.gov) |
|---|
Ways to get rid of paint
Household hazardous waste drop-off
Local HHW collection (permanent or periodic). (epa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
State or industry recycling program
PaintCare drop-off sites (in PaintCare states). (paintcare.org, checked October 30, 2026)
Retailer take-back
Participating paint retailers accept latex and oil-based paint (PaintCare program; CT DEEP example). (portal.ct.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Rules to know
- Latex paint: dry it out until solid, then put in trash (Wisconsin DNR example; check local rules - PaintCare states accept latex for recycling). (dnr.wisconsin.gov)
- Oil-based paint: take to an HHW collection program. (dnr.wisconsin.gov)
- Never pour HHW down drains, on the ground or into storm sewers. (epa.gov)
- PaintCare accepts latex and oil-based architectural paint in original labeled containers up to 5 gallons with secured lids; aerosols not accepted. (paintcare.org)
State programs and laws
| State | Program or law | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| Colorado | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| Connecticut | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| District of Columbia | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| Illinois | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| Maine | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| Maryland | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| Minnesota | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| New York | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| Oregon | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| Rhode Island | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| Vermont | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
| Washington | PaintCare | paintcare.org |
Cautions
- Not accepted at PaintCare sites. “PaintCare sites do not accept aerosol coatings, solvents, and products designed and labeled to be used for industrial or non-architectural use.” (paintcare.org)
- Lead paint waste. “Lead-based paint wastes generated by homeowners are considered "Household Hazardous Waste" and should be taken to a local Household Hazardous Waste collection center or one-day collection event.” (portal.ct.gov)
Related guides
All disposal guidesChecked October 30, 2026 against federal, state and program pages. Local rules come first: your city’s page shows its own pickup and drop-off rules.