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PaintCare

Operated by PaintCare (American Coatings Association nonprofit) · Available in: CA, CO, CT, DC, IL, MD, ME, MN, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA

A paint-industry-funded stewardship program operating in states with paint stewardship laws, collecting leftover paint, stains, sealers, and clear coatings at retailer and government drop-off sites. Illinois is the newest participating state, its program began December 2025.

How it works

In participating states, bring leftover paint, primer, stain, sealer, shellac, or varnish to a PaintCare drop-off site (many are paint retailers). The program is funded by a fee on new paint sold in the state; drop-off itself is free.

Fees

Free to drop off (funded by a fee already included in new paint purchase prices in participating states)

Not accepted

PaintCare accepts interior/exterior paints, stains, sealers, primers, and clear finishes like varnish and shellac. It does not accept solvents or thinners, aerosol/spray coatings, auto or marine paint, art/craft paint, caulk, epoxies, glues, adhesives, colorants, wood preservatives, asphalt or tar products, or two-component/industrial coatings, take those to a household hazardous waste facility instead.

What to know before you go

PaintCare is a recycling and safe-disposal program, not an exchange, you don't get anything back. Containers must be the original manufacturer container (5 gallons or smaller), have the original printed label still on it, and have a secured lid, sites will not take an open, leaking, or already-empty container. Most sites cap drop-off at 5 gallons total per visit, though this varies by location, call ahead if you have more (PaintCare offers a separate large-volume pickup option starting around 100 gallons, mainly aimed at businesses and contractors). Every PaintCare drop-off site is a real business (often a paint or hardware store) participating voluntarily, its hours are that business's own hours, not a dedicated recycling-center schedule, and a site can temporarily stop accepting paint if its collection bin is full.

If this program isn't an option for you

PaintCare only operates in the states listed above, if you're not in one (Texas and Florida, among others, have no such law), it isn't available at all, no amount of driving finds a legitimate one out of state. Your best alternative is your local household hazardous waste facility or municipal HHW program, several of Green Orbyt's verified facilities already accept paint directly, see below. Fully dried, hardened latex (water-based) paint can sometimes go in household trash where local rules allow it, check your city's own rules first, and this doesn't apply to oil-based paint, which stays hazardous waste regardless of dryness.

Accepted items

Locations that also take paint

Visit official program page →

Green Orbyt is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by PaintCare (American Coatings Association nonprofit). This page is independent, sourced context to help you decide whether to use the official program, not a replacement for its own site.

Last verified 2026-10-01

Sources

Programs, hours, fees, eligibility, and accepted materials can change. Confirm details with the facility before traveling.

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