How to get rid of paint
Of the 710 facilities we’ve verified so far, 8 mention accepting paint in their posted rules, 17 say they don’t or restrict them, and 0 post a specific fee. The rest don’t mention them, so call ahead.
Latex (water-based) and oil-based paint are handled differently. Oil-based paint, stains and paint thinner are household hazardous waste: take them to a household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-off or collection event, not the regular trash. Many communities allow latex paint in the trash once it is completely dried out (open the can to air-dry, or mix in kitty litter or paint hardener), but some ban liquid paint of any kind from landfills. Check your local rule.
Other options. States with paint stewardship laws have free PaintCare drop-off sites, often at paint and hardware stores; see PaintCare for participating states and locations. Usable leftover paint can go to a reuse store or community swap.
Before you go. Ask whether the landfill has an HHW area, its days and hours (often limited), and any residency or quantity limits.
Don't want to haul it yourself? Get a junk removal quote
Junk removal crews load and dispose of it for you, usually priced by how much of the truck you fill.
Tip: get two or three quotes from local junk removal companies, and ask whether the price includes the dump fee and labor.
Find a place near you
- Anaheim, CA 0
- Bakersfield, CA 3
- Burbank, CA 0
- Costa Mesa, CA 0
- Downey, CA 0
- Fullerton, CA 0
- Garden Grove, CA 0
- Glendale, CA 0
- Huntington Beach, CA 0
- Irvine, CA 0
- Lancaster, CA 2
- Long Beach, CA 0
- Los Angeles, CA 0
- Ontario, CA 0
- Orange, CA 0
- Palmdale, CA 2
- Pasadena, CA 0
- Pomona, CA 0
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA 0
- Santa Ana, CA 0
- Torrance, CA 0
- West Covina, CA 0
- Bridgeport, CT 0
- Hartford, CT 0
- Stamford, CT 0
- Orlando, FL 1
- Atlanta, GA 0
- South Fulton, GA 0
- Minneapolis, MN 0
- St. Paul, MN 0
- Cary, NC 0
- Durham, NC 0
- Raleigh, NC 0
Number = nearby verified sites that list this item as accepted.
Not listed? Search your ZIP for the nearest facility, then call to ask about paint.