Paint Care

PaintCare sites accept house paint and primers, stains, sealers, and clear coatings (e.g., shellac and varnish) but we do not accept aerosols (spray cans), solvents, and products intended for industrial or non-architectural use. The products we accept are referred to as “PaintCare Products” or “architectural paint” and they must be in containers that are no larger than 5 gallons in size. Paint must be in its original container and the container must have the original manufacturer’s printed label and a secured lid to be accepted at retail drop-off sites. We cannot accept open or leaking cans. Please review the following detailed list to find out what can be accepted, prior to dropping off your paint.

These products are part of the program. They have fees when you purchase them, and they are accepted for free when you take them to drop-off sites.

• Interior and exterior architectural paints: latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, enamel (including textured coatings)
• Deck coatings, floor paints (including elastomeric)
• Primers, sealers, undercoaters
• Stains
• Shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, urethanes (single component)
• Waterproofing concrete/masonry/wood sealers and repellents (not tar or bitumen-based)
• Metal coatings, rust preventatives
• Field and lawn paints

The definition of architectural coatings (also referred to as architectural paint or program products) is based on the first document linked below. The types of products that have fees are the same as those that are accepted at PaintCare drop-off sites. When clarification is needed about which products are subject to the PaintCare Fee and which products are not, PaintCare publishes additional notices. So far we have published seven notices, and we will publish additional notices as needed or upon request.

Click here for product notices

What Should You Do with Empty Paint Cans?

PaintCare drop-off sites do not accept empty paint cans. Depending on where you live, you may be able to recycle empty paint cans in your curbside recycling program. If not, they should be disposed of in the trash. It’s important to check with your local recycling or trash services to see what is allowed. In most places, putting any liquids in the trash or recycling bins is prohibited. So, any cans you recycle or dispose of must be truly empty, and the lid should be removed so that trash collectors can see that they are empty.