Recycle Paint

Recycle leftover paint and paint-related products through PaintCare drop-off locations or Marin household hazardous waste (HHW) facilities.

PaintCare drop-off locations, located at participating retailers (often paint and hardware stores), accept eligible architectural paint for recycling. Marin HHW facilities accept everything PaintCare accepts, plus additional paint-related products.

Why Recycle Paint?

Free Drop-Off

Most latex and oil-based paint can be recycled at no charge.

Protect Our Environment

Keep toxic paint out of landfills, waterways, and curbside carts.

Convenient Drop-Off

Find PaintCare sites and HHW facilities throughout Marin County.

Prepare Your Paint for Drop-Off

Leave paint in its original container.
Seal lids tightly.
Do not mix products together.
Wipe excess paint from outside containers.
Call ahead for large quantities.

Recycle Paint with PaintCare

PaintCare operates a statewide paint recycling program through participating drop-off locations throughout Marin County.

Accepted by PaintCare

Latex & acrylic paint
Oil-based paint & enamel
Primers & undercoaters
Stains & wood finishes
Sealers, varnishes, shellacs & lacquers
Waterproofing sealers (non-tar based)

Not Accepted by PaintCare

Aerosol paint
Paint thinner & solvents
Paint removers
Adhesives & caulk
Roofing tar & asphalt products
Automotive & marine paint
Art & craft paint

Important: PaintCare doesn't accept every paint-related product. Items such as paint thinner, aerosol paint, adhesives, and solvents can be taken to Marin County's Household Hazardous Waste facilities instead.

Drop-off guidelines

Original containers only (5 gallons or smaller)
Original manufacturer label must be intact
Lids must be securely fastened
No leaking or open containers

Find a PaintCare Drop-Off Site

Search by ZIP code to find participating PaintCare retailers near you.

Dispose of Paint-Related Products

Accepted at HHW Facilities

HHW facilities accept everything PaintCare accepts, plus additional paint-related products.

Paint
Products

Latex paint
Oil-based paint
Aerosol paint

Wood
Finishes

Wood preservatives
Stains
Wood finishes

Solvents & Removers

Paint thinner
Solvents
Paint removers

Sealants & Repair Products

Roofing tar
Putty
Caulk
Construction adhesives
Glues

Household Hazardous Waste Facilities

Drop-off guidelines

Up to 20 gallons of latex paint
Maximum container size: 5 gallons / 50 lbs.
Call ahead to verify accepted items and quantities.

San Rafael HHW Facility

Marin residents (except Novato)
Marin businesses by appointment (fees may apply)

Novato HHW Facility

Novato residents only
Novato businesses by appointment (fees may apply)

IMPORTANT DISPOSAL NOTICE

Do not place liquid paint or paint-related products in your curbside recycling, trash, or organics cart.

Liquid paint, solvents, paint removers, adhesives, and similar products should never be placed in your curbside carts or poured down the drain. Recycle leftover paint through a PaintCare drop-off site or take paint-related products to a Marin County Household Hazardous Waste facility.