What Should I Do With My Old Paint?

"I have all this old paint, what should I do with it?  Can you take it for me?”  I get asked these questions on a weekly basis.  The good news is that disposing of paint is easier to do now than it has been in the past.   Painting contractors legally can’t take your paint away for you, due to DOT laws governing transport of hazardous waste.  Fortunately, there are no rules about you transporting your old paint to disposal sites. 

In October of 2016, California Paint Care was established as the disposal program for old paint.  On every quart, gallon, and 5 gallon bucket of paint there is a small recycle fee added to your purchase.  This pays for the CA Paint Care program.  When you drop off your paint to be recycled there is no cost to do so.  Most major paint stores such as Sherwin Williams and Kelly Moore are disposal sites for old paint.  Your paint cans must be on their original buckets and have their label intact.  It also must be sealed tightly so nothing can leak out.  I do suggest that you call ahead and make sure they have room for all the paint you are bringing. Before you take all your paint to be recycled, make sure you keep some paint for your home to do touch up.  It is very hard to get paint to touch up if you don’t have old cans with the product and color info.  So label the cans and keep in your garage where it will last much longer.  Fortunately if you have hired Brooks Painting to do your work, we leave a can of each color and product nicely labeled for each surface and area.