That stack of half-used paint cans in the garage is not trash, and it is not landfill filler either. How you get rid of paint depends entirely on what is inside the can, and guessing wrong can clog your pipes, poison a septic system, or earn a rejected trash pickup.
The good news is that once you know whether you have latex or oil-based paint, the rest is simple. Below we cover how to tell the two apart, which cans are safe to dry out and bin, and how to recycle or donate the rest for free.
Key Takeaways
- Identify the paint first: Latex (water-based) and oil-based (alkyd) paint follow completely different disposal rules, so read the label before you do anything.
- Dry latex, then trash it: The EPA treats dried latex paint as non-hazardous. Harden it with cat litter or a paint hardener until solid, then bin it with the lid off.
- Oil-based paint is hazardous waste: You cannot dry it out. Take alkyd and oil-based paint to a household hazardous waste facility or collection event.
- Recycle it free through PaintCare: PaintCare runs more than 8,000 drop-off sites that take every paint type at no charge; donating usable leftovers is another zero-waste route.
Can You Just Throw Away Paint?
You generally cannot throw liquid paint directly into your household trash. Most municipal garbage services prohibit liquid chemicals because they spill in the truck, leak onto the road, and eventually contaminate soil and groundwater in landfills.
Pouring paint down the sink is even worse. It coats your pipes, leads to expensive clogs, and introduces harmful chemicals into the water supply. If you have a septic system, paint can kill the beneficial bacteria that break down waste, leading to a system failure.
A few rules never change no matter the paint type. Never pour paint down a sink, toilet, or storm drain, and never mix paint types or thin them with solvents to make disposal easier. Those shortcuts push the chemicals straight into the water supply.
Check If the Paint Is Usable
Before you worry about disposal, check if the paint is salvageable. High-quality paint can last for years if the lid is sealed tight.
The Smell Test
Crack the lid and take a sniff. Usable paint will smell like chemicals or nothing at all. If you are hit with a sour, rotten egg, or rancid odor, the paint has gone bad due to bacterial growth. Do not use it; seal it back up for disposal.
Check the Consistency
Paint often separates over time. If there is a layer of liquid on top, stir it with a paint stick. If the solids and liquids blend back into a smooth consistency, it is good to go.
However, if the paint is chunky, stringy, or refuses to mix, it is past its prime. You can try straining it through old pantyhose to remove small lumps, but large hardened chunks mean it is time to toss it.
How to Dispose of Paint by Type
Safe disposal depends entirely on the chemical makeup of the paint. You need to distinguish between water-based (latex) and oil-based (alkyd) products.
Latex vs. Oil-Based Paint
Check the label first. Words like “latex,” “acrylic,” or “water-based” mean it is easier to dispose of. Words like “alkyd,” “oil-based,” or “combustible” indicate hazardous waste.
If the label is unreadable, try the rub test:
- Test the paint: Rub a small amount of paint onto a surface and let it dry.
- Clean it: Rub the spot with a rag dampened with warm water and dish soap.
- The result: If the paint comes off, it is latex. If it stays put, it is oil-based.
Disposing of Latex Paint
Latex paint is not considered hazardous waste in most areas, but it must be solid before the trash collector will take it. Never throw liquid latex paint in the bin.
Follow these steps to solidify latex paint:
- Air dry small amounts: If there is less than an inch of paint left, remove the lid and let it dry in a sunny spot away from children and pets.
- Use absorbents: For fuller cans, mix in equal parts cat litter, sawdust, or a commercial paint hardener.
- Wait for it to set: Stir the mixture and let it sit for an hour or until it has the consistency of oatmeal or rock.
Once the paint is rock hard, leave the lid off the can and place it in your regular trash.
Keep In Mind
Garbage collectors look for liquid. Leaving the lids off proves the paint is solid and prevents them from rejecting your trash pickup.
Disposing of Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based and alkyd paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvents. These are legally classified as hazardous waste (HHW). You cannot dry these out and throw them in the trash.
You must take oil-based products to a designated drop-off center. Here is how to find one:
- Check local government sites: Look for “Household Hazardous Waste” collection days on your town’s sanitation website.
- Use PaintCare: This nonprofit runs more than 8,000 free drop-off sites that accept every paint type, oil-based included, and each site takes at least 5 gallons per visit.
- Consult EPA tools: Use the resources below if you are dealing with large quantities or industrial situations.
1. RCRAInfo Search
The RCRAInfo Search tool helps identify hazardous waste handlers. This is useful for finding facilities authorized to manage dangerous chemicals based on your location and industry classification.
2. Biennial Hazardous Waste Report
If you have a large volume of old paint, check the Hazardous Waste Report. This provides data on waste management techniques and large-volume generators, which can help guide you toward correct industrial disposal methods.
How to Dispose of Spray Paint
Aerosol cans are pressurized and present an explosion risk if crushed in a garbage truck. However, they are made of recyclable steel.
Empty the Can
You can only recycle a spray paint can once it is completely empty. Shake the can and spray it onto a piece of cardboard or scrap wood until nothing comes out and the hiss of gas stops. A can counts as empty when almost nothing is left inside (under about 3 percent of its contents) and the pressure has dropped back to normal. At that point it is no longer hazardous waste and can go out as scrap metal. A can that still holds paint or pressure is household hazardous waste, so take it to an HHW drop-off instead of the recycling bin.
Recycle the Parts
Once the can is depressurized and empty, it is treated as scrap metal.
- Remove the nozzle: Pull off the plastic spray tip and throw it in the plastics recycling or trash.
- Recycle the body: Place the steel can in your curbside recycling bin (check local rules first).
Safety First
Always wear a respirator mask when emptying spray cans to avoid inhaling fumes. Never puncture, crush, or incinerate a spray paint can, even if you think it is empty.
Alternative Disposal Methods
Throwing paint away should be your last resort. There are better ways to clear your shelves while helping your community.
Donate It
Community groups often need supplies for small projects. If you have a substantial amount of usable paint, try these outlets:
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Many locations accept full or nearly full cans of paint for resale.
- Theater groups: Local schools and community theaters use paint for set designs.
- Community centers: Scouts, churches, and youth groups often have tight budgets and welcome donations.
Recycle It
Search for “paint recycling near me.” PaintCare runs the largest paint recycling network in the country, with more than 8,000 drop-off sites at hardware stores, paint retailers, and waste facilities. Drop-off is free because a small recovery fee is built into the price of new paint, and every site accepts at least 5 gallons per visit. The collected paint gets reprocessed into recycled paint, fuel, or other products.
Hardware Store Drop-Offs
Some local hardware stores and paint retailers accept old paint for a small fee or for free. Call your local Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, or independent retailer to ask about their take-back policies.
How to Dispose of Paint Water
Cleaning brushes creates paint-tinted water that you shouldn’t pour down the storm drain. Storm drains flow directly into rivers and oceans without filtration.
Evaporate or Filter
If you have a bucket of latex paint water, let it sit in a warm, dry place. The water will eventually evaporate, leaving a solid disk of paint sludge. Peel this out and trash it.
The Flocculation Method
For faster results, add kitty litter or a paint hardener to the water. Let the solids settle to the bottom. Carefully pour the clear water onto a patchy area of your lawn (it acts as a filter), then let the sludge at the bottom dry out before throwing it in the trash.
Recycling Empty Paint Cans
Once you have used up all the paint, you are left with the container.
- Metal cans: Wipe them out completely with a paper towel. Ensure they are dry. Most curbside programs accept clean steel cans.
- Plastic cans: These are harder to recycle. Check the number on the bottom of the bucket (usually #2 or #5) and verify if your local recycler accepts that plastic type. If not, they go in the trash.
FAQs
Disposing of chemicals can be tricky. Here are answers to common questions about getting rid of old paint.
All Wrapped Up
Clearing the garage feels great, and doing it right is not much harder. Check whether you have latex or oil-based paint, dry out the water-based cans, and hand the oil-based ones to a household hazardous waste site or a free PaintCare drop-off. Recycle the empty cans and donate what is still good, and you keep the toxic stuff out of the ground and your pipes safe.
