What To Do With Empty Latex or Oil-Based Paint Cans

Free up shelf space and get rid of paint cans in a safe, eco-friendly way

Finish a big painting project and now have empty paint cans? There are several options for how to dispose of them, depending on whether the paint inside was oil-based or latex. It's important to check your area's local recycling guidelines, as well as their hazardous waste guidelines if you used oil-based paint, to ensure you're following the right protocol.

Things You Should Know

  • Leave the lid off of latex paint cans to let the last bit of paint dry out, then recycle them in your normal bin or a specialized recycling center (depending on your city).
  • Use up the last of your oil-based paint or let it dry out, then take the empty cans to a household hazardous waste drop-off facility near you.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Getting Rid of Latex Paint Cans

  1. Image titled Dispose of Empty Paint Cans Step 1
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    Make sure your paint can is completely empty. If your paint can still has a small amount of paint in it, take off the lid and let the paint dry naturally in a well-ventilated area.[1] It’s important that the can be empty or completely dried out before you try to dispose of it.[2]
    • The paint should dry in 2-4 hours.
    • You can also purchase commercial paint hardeners from a store to help your paint dry out.[3]
    • If the bottom of your paint can has dried latex paint in it, you can still dispose of it.
  2. Image titled Dispose of Empty Paint Cans Step 2
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    Remove the lid to show that the can is completely empty or dried up. Whether you’re recycling the can or throwing it in the trash, removing the lid is important to show that the paint can isn’t full of leftover paint. Take the lid off completely and place it next to the paint can.[4]
    • Taking the lid off of the paint can shows trash or recycling collectors that the paint can is safe to dispose of.
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    Recycle your can if there’s a recycling center near you. Many cities have paint recycling companies that will reuse your empty latex paint cans, free of charge. Go online to find out your recycling options, whether through a specific paint recycling company or your local general recycling center.[5]
    • Your city or town’s recycling website should tell you whether or not they accept empty paint cans.[6]
    • Many recycling centers do accept empty paint cans, grouping them with metals.
    • It's likely that you can place your empty paint can directly into your recycling bin, though some areas may ask that you bring it in to a recycling center—visit your recycling center's website if you're not sure.
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    Place your paint can in the trash if recycling isn’t an option. If your paint can is empty or has latex paint in it that’s completely dried up, it can be thrown away with your regular trash. Take it out on trash days or to your local waste management center.[7]
    • Make sure the lid is off of the can, even though it’s going in the trash.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Disposing of Oil-Based Paint Cans

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    Ensure your paint can is completely empty. Oil-based paint is considered hazardous, so it’s especially important to use up any old paint before trying to dispose of the can. Take the lid off to double check, and keep the lid off while disposing of the can.[8]
    • If your oil-based paint can isn't completely empty, consider using up the rest of the paint by brushing it onto newspaper.
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    Look up your city or county’s guidelines on oil-based paint cans. Due to their hazardous nature, different areas may have different rules for how they want you to get rid of oil-based paint cans. Go online to find out if your city classifies oil-based paint cans as hazardous or not, and where you can take the cans to get rid of them.[9]
    • Search “how to dispose of oil-based paint cans in my area” online to find your local guidelines.
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    Bring the paint can to a local Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off site. Many areas have Household Hazardous Waste sites where you can bring items that aren’t safe to dispose of in your own home. Find a drop-off location near you and bring your paint can there if it’s deemed hazardous.[10]
    • Some areas might even have a Hazardous Household Waste pickup option, so check online to find out.
    • Other hazardous items these sites take are things like automotive products, thermometers, pool chemicals, and electronics.
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    Put your paint can in the trash if it can’t be recycled. If your oil-based paint can doesn’t need to be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off site according to your city’s regulations, it’s safe to place it in your regular garbage. Make sure it’s definitely empty to prevent any hazards, and take it out on trash day.[11]
    • If you’re not sure whether oil-based paint cans are considered hazardous in your area, it’s better to be cautious and assume that they are hazardous.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    How can I dispose of paint cans?
    Jeff Baldwin
    Jeff Baldwin
    Residential Painter
    Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.
    Jeff Baldwin
    Jeff Baldwin
    Residential Painter
    Expert Answer
    The best way is to recycle them. You can take them to a hazardous recycling center.
  • Question
    What can I do with the paint cans if there is some paint in them?
    Jeff Baldwin
    Jeff Baldwin
    Residential Painter
    Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.
    Jeff Baldwin
    Jeff Baldwin
    Residential Painter
    Expert Answer
    You can check with your local paint store to see if they accept used paint. If there is a small amount of paint in the cans, let it dry out or use some product to harden it. Then throw away the cans. But don't throw solvent-based paints into your garbage even when dry.
  • Question
    Is it okay to pour the leftover paint into the drain?
    Jeff Baldwin
    Jeff Baldwin
    Residential Painter
    Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.
    Jeff Baldwin
    Jeff Baldwin
    Residential Painter
    Expert Answer
    It is not right to pour it down the drain, into landscaping, or anywhere else where it can get into the water table.
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References

  1. ↑ Jeff Baldwin. Residential Painter. Expert Interview. 1 March 2021.
  2. ↑ https://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/paint
  3. ↑ Jeff Baldwin. Residential Painter. Expert Interview. 1 March 2021.
  4. ↑ https://www.hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/items/paint-and-cans-latex
  5. ↑ https://www.hazwastehelp.org/HHW/latexpaint.aspx
  6. ↑ Jeff Baldwin. Residential Painter. Expert Interview. 1 March 2021.
  7. ↑ https://www.hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/items/paint-and-cans-latex
  8. ↑ https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-paint/
  9. ↑ https://sfenvironment.org/safe-disposal
  1. ↑ https://sfenvironment.org/safe-disposal
  2. ↑ https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-paint/

About This Article

Jeff Baldwin
Co-authored by:
Jeff Baldwin
Residential Painter
This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. This article has been viewed 63,427 times.
11 votes - 73%
Co-authors: 2
Updated: March 10, 2023
Views: 63,427
Categories: Household Waste Disposal
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