What to Do with Old Paint: Oregon Disposal and Recycling Guide

Types of Paint and Disposal Rules

Latex (Water-Based) Paint

The most common household paint. Latex paint is not classified as hazardous waste in Oregon. You have two disposal options:

• Drop off at a PaintCare location for recycling (free, any quantity)
• Dry it out and dispose in regular trash (small quantities — see instructions below)

Oil-Based (Alkyd) Paint

Oil-based paint contains flammable solvents and is classified as hazardous waste. It must be taken to a PaintCare drop-off site or household hazardous waste facility. It cannot go in your regular trash, down a drain, or into a storm sewer.

Spray Paint

Aerosol paint cans are accepted at PaintCare locations. Empty aerosol cans (no pressure remaining) can go in regular recycling in most Oregon jurisdictions.

Stains, Sealers, and Coatings

Wood stains, deck sealers, and similar coatings are accepted by PaintCare regardless of whether they are water-based or oil-based.

PaintCare Oregon Program

Oregon was the first state to implement the PaintCare program, which provides free paint recycling funded by a small fee included in the purchase price of new paint. Key details:

• Cost: Free for consumers — funded by the PaintCare fee on new paint purchases
• Accepted: All house paint, primers, stains, sealers, and clear coatings in containers up to 5 gallons
• Not accepted: Industrial coatings, automotive paint, aerosol cans over 24 ounces, leaking or unlabeled containers
• Limits: Most drop-off sites accept up to 5 containers per visit. Larger quantities may require scheduling.

Collected paint is processed in three ways: reblended into recycled paint products, used as fuel in industrial facilities, or properly disposed of if contaminated.

Drop-Off Locations

Oregon has over 150 PaintCare drop-off sites. Major locations by city:

• Portland: Sherwin-Williams stores, Miller Paint locations, Metro Central and Metro South transfer stations, most hardware stores
• Salem: Sherwin-Williams, Wilco Farm Stores, Marion County transfer stations
• Eugene: Sherwin-Williams, Jerry's Home Improvement, Lane County transfer stations
• Bend: Sherwin-Williams, Deschutes County Solid Waste facility

Visit PaintCare.org to find the nearest drop-off location and check accepted quantities. Most locations are open during regular business hours — no appointment needed.

Drying Out Latex Paint

If you have a small amount of latex paint and prefer not to drive to a drop-off site, you can dry it out for regular trash disposal:

1. Less than one inch in the can: Remove the lid and let it air-dry completely. Takes 2 to 5 days in Oregon's climate.
2. Partial can: Mix in kitty litter, sawdust, or paint hardener (available at hardware stores). Stir and let it solidify.
3. Nearly full can: Pour small amounts into a cardboard box lined with plastic, mix with absorbent material, and let dry. Repeat as needed.

Once completely dry and hardened, the can goes in your regular trash with the lid off so the waste hauler can verify it is dry. This method only works for latex paint — never attempt to dry out oil-based paint.

Ways to Repurpose Old Paint

Before disposing of old paint, consider whether it can be used:

• Touch-ups: Keep a small amount of each room color for touch-ups. Store in labeled mason jars.
• Primer coat: Old paint in decent condition works as a primer for garage walls, basement floors, or utility rooms.
• Community sharing: Post usable paint on community boards, Buy Nothing groups, or Nextdoor. Oregon neighbors often need paint for small projects.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Some ReStore locations in Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Bend accept unopened or mostly full paint cans for resale.
• Art projects: Local schools and community art programs in Oregon often accept donated paint.

What NOT to Do

• Do NOT pour paint down drains: Even latex paint can clog pipes and contaminate wastewater treatment systems
• Do NOT pour paint on the ground: Paint chemicals leach into soil and groundwater
• Do NOT put liquid paint in the trash: Liquid paint creates hazards at transfer stations and landfills
• Do NOT burn paint: Paint fumes are toxic and burning is illegal in most Oregon jurisdictions
• Do NOT dump in storm drains: Storm drains in Oregon flow directly to rivers and streams without treatment

Have more than just paint to get rid of? Otesse handles garage cleanouts across Oregon, including sorting out paint cans and other materials that need special disposal. See our garage cleanout tips or get a free quote.