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Paint
Accepted at 10 locations
Paint is a household product that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that is corrosive or toxic, particularly oil-based paints which contain hazardous ingredients requiring special disposal care.
Source: epa.gov : Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) | US EPA (1)
Paint Summary
Parent material: Household Hazardous Waste
Accepted Locations

Businesses - Follow the instruction of the scale house attendant.
Keep oil-based and latex paint separate when dropping off.
Ensure containers are sealed and labeled by paint type.
Do not mix paint with other hazardous waste products.
Do not allow hazardous paint types to harden in containers first.
Do not dispose of oil-based paint in regular trash.
Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Last updated on June 13, 2026 by Green Star GM

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Keep paint in original containers with labels intact
Separate oil-based, latex-based, and aerosol paints by type
Indicate if tainted with other fluids
Don't mix paint with other liquids
Don't dispose of oil-based paint in regular trash
Don't allow hazardous paint to harden then trash it
Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Keep paint in original containers with labels intact
Separate oil-based, latex-based, and aerosol paints by type
Indicate if tainted with other fluids
Don't mix paint with other liquids
Don't dispose of oil-based paint in regular trash
Don't allow hazardous paint to harden then trash it
Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM
About Paint
What it is
Discarded paints generally are not found on EPA's Lists of Hazardous Wastes, however, discarded paints are considered hazardous waste if they exhibit characteristics such as ignitability or toxicity. Waste paints and solvents are likely hazardous due to ignitability, toxicity, and/or specific listings. Improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.(1, 2, 3)
How it’s recycled
The recycling process typically begins with collecting leftover or unwanted paint, which is then sorted by type (latex, oil-based, etc.); latex paint, the most common type, is often reprocessed into new paint by filtering out impurities, adjusting the consistency, and adding fresh pigments or binders. Oil-based paints, due to their hazardous nature, are handled differently—they may be used as fuel in industrial processes or treated to recover usable materials.(5, 6, 8)
How to prepare it
Be sure to read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards on the way to a disposal facility. For latex paint disposal, solidification is typically required: to solidify old paint, mix it with cat litter, sawdust, or a commercial paint hardener; stir thoroughly and allow it to dry before disposal. Place in a sealed and labeled container; do not mix multiple materials together.(1, 5, 7, 8)
Common mistakes
One of the gravest mistakes in paint disposal is pouring paint into drains or directly onto the ground. People should never pour paint down their septic system. Letting paint harden in plastic liners and throwing these in the trash is considered disposing of hazardous waste paint in the trash and is an EPA violation.(1, 4, 5, 10)
Environmental impact
Compounds used in the formulation of some latex paint can cause it to be toxic to many aquatic organisms; since most storm drains drain to streams, rivers, bays and the ocean, dumping excess latex paint into storm drains or rinsing painting equipment into the gutter or storm drain is prohibited. Certain types of household hazardous waste have the potential to contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets.(1, 4, 10)
Sources & additional reading
- Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) | US EPA epa.gov
- Hazardous Waste Generator Regulations rcrapublic.epa.gov
- Paint-Related Wastes | Iowa Waste Reduction Center iwrc.uni.edu
- Latex and Other Paint – Why is latex paint a problem? | Department of Toxic Substances Control dtsc.ca.gov
- 1 Kentucky Environmental & Public Protection Cabinet FACT SHEET Paint disposal eec.ky.gov
- Recycling Paint: Unveiling The Process And Environmental Benefits | CyPaint cypaint.com
- How to Dispose of Paint Safely Without Harming Nature birlaopus.com
- How to Properly Store and Dispose of Leftover Paint | Sherwin-Williams sherwin-williams.com
- Body Shop Paint Waste: 4 Common Types and How to Dispose Of Them- KPA kpa.io
- Green Star of Interior Alaska-Paints, Oils, & Chemicals iagreenstar.org
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