How to Dispose of Paint the Responsible Way

Oct 22, 2023

By Jennifer Beck Goldblatt

If you’ve ever wondered how to dispose of paint or where to throw away old paint cans, you’re not alone. It's estimated that 868 million gallons of architectural paint are sold annually in the United States. That means there is likely a lot of leftover paint for reusing, recycling, or disposing. One look at your garage and basement shelves will reveal a bevy of near-empty paint cans sitting (not so pretty). Tossing a can of paint into household trash may seem like the simplest thing to do, but that means the bucket will end up in a landfill—not the best final destination for latex or oil-based paint. In fact, being careless with household hazardous waste (HHW) can contaminate your community and may actually be illegal in some municipalities.

To help you deal with paint cans of yore, AD spoke to Jeremy Walters, sustainability ambassador at Republic Services, a company that provides recycling and waste services across the country. "If hazardous waste is discarded with your regular trash or recycling, there can be dangerous implications for the environment and sanitation workers," he explains. He also notes that disposal protocols will vary, based on where you live. Here's what you need to know about how to dispose of paint.

Proper paint disposal will vary from place to place (more on that below), but it's always best to make sure your paint is dry or hardened before disposal. "It is important that [paints] are solidified before disposal, so that they don't increase the likelihood of a spill," Walters says. "Garbage trucks are outfitted with a special blade that compacts waste in the back of the truck: If a can of liquid paint is compressed, chances are the can will pop open, causing the paint to potentially seep out of the truck and onto the street. When you take the time to dry these paints out, you will eliminate the risk of a spill in your community."

Walters also points out that you should always leave paint in its original container. "When disposing of any hazardous waste materials, it's crucial to always keep them in their original containers, never combine them with any other hazardous waste materials, and always follow the labeled disposal instructions to avoid injury and environmental harm." There are a few methods for drying out paint:

If a paint can is nearly empty, leaving it with the lid off until the paint inside hardens is an easy, cost-free solution. Moving it outdoors to a sunny spot can help speed up the process as well. These methods work best when the amount of paint to dispose of is small.

A paint hardener, like Krud Kutter, is available on Amazon and most home improvement and hardware stores where paint supplies are sold. This crystal-like product hardens into a solid piece in under 30 minutes when mixed with old paint. A packet, which should be enough to harden a can of paint that is 60% full won't cost more than $5.

Cat owners likely have extra kitty litter on hand, and using it to deal with paint disposal is an easy solution. Pour the cat litter into a can of paint and let it absorb, then allow it to harden.

How you dispose of paint is going to be largely dependent on where you live. Individual towns and counties all have their own requirements. Some may allow you to put hardened paint or empty cans out with your regular trash for curbside pickup or recommend that you hold onto them for a designated hazardous waste collection day, while others may require you to take them to a local household hazardous waste disposal facility. To determine what you need to do, place a call to your local waste management agency—someone will point you in the right direction.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website directs those looking for safe ways to dispose of hazardous waste to the Earth911 database. With this website, you can enter your zip code to find recycling options and guidelines for where you live.

If you have a decent amount of usable paint, donating it might be a valid option to pursue. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity Restore, your local community center, or another nonprofit organization are good places to check with. They may have an easy curbside drop-off site nearby or a collection event that repurposes leftover paint in a much better way than sending it to a landfill. Paint recycling programs, such as PaintCare, is a stewardship that follows HHW laws and will help find a solution in your area.

Yes, all types of paint will go bad eventually. While the lifespan will vary from brand to brand, an unopened can of water-based paint has the potential to last up to 10 years. A latex paint will last about half that time. If paint smells off or the texture doesn't improve with stirring, it's likely old paint gone bad.Once opened, however, everything changes. The longer paint is exposed to air, the more susceptible it is to damage, which is why it's so important to properly seal paint cans after any DIY project. Where you keep the leftover paint matters too. The best way to store paint is indoors, away from light and extreme temperature changes. If the amount of paint left is about half a can, place plastic wrap over the top before securing the lid back on. This helps keep air out and prevents the formation of that thick layer of film on the top. You may have heard that to store paint upside down is a good idea, but this practice no longer makes sense. And for good reason: It can lead to spills and a mess no amount of cat litter will help.