All materials

Where to dispose of paint

Leftover latex and oil-based paint, stain, varnish and primer. 3 places accept it in Southern California.

Good to know

In California, leftover architectural paint is accepted at household hazardous waste (HHW) facilities and at many paint retailers participating in the statewide PaintCare program.

Landfills and transfer stations generally do not accept liquid paint in regular trash loads.

Completely dried-out latex paint (hardened in the can with the lid off) is often allowed in regular trash, but rules vary by jurisdiction.

Other ways

• Retail drop-off. Many paint and hardware stores accept leftover paint through the PaintCare program at no charge.

Don't bother

These do not take paint: Lamb Canyon Landfill, Badlands Landfill, El Sobrante Landfill, Edom Hill Transfer Station, Coachella Valley Transfer Station, Mid-Valley Sanitary Landfill, San Timoteo Sanitary Landfill, Olinda Alpha Landfill, Frank R. Bowerman Landfill, Prima Deshecha Landfill, Sunshine Canyon Landfill, Puente Hills Materials Recovery Facility, Miramar Landfill, Sycamore Landfill, Otay Landfill.