If you own a home or love to DIY, there’s a pretty good chance you have some cans of leftover paint sitting around. And while it’s often handy to have some touch-up paint available, you will likely find yourself in a situation where cans of paint eventually need to be trashed. But there’s no need to put off this nuisance task…safely getting rid of paint is actually easier than you might expect! Let me show you the easiest way to properly dispose of paint (and share some other, less-wasteful, ideas for getting rid of it too!)

Several cans of opened paint on a white shelf

Why Trash Paint?

While the DIYer in me feels like there is always a way to use leftover paint, that is sometimes just not the case. Here are a few scenarios in which you might find yourself needing to dump (perfectly good) cans of paint:

  • You’ve changed paint colors and have no use for the old hues
  • You purchased the paint but hate the color and the store won’t take it back
  • You have old paint that is no longer usable
  • You’re moving and can’t take paint with you (or leave it behind)
An opened can of grey paint shown with a stir stick and paintbrush

Almost every time we move, we have stacks of paint cans we need to get rid of…and quickly. Here are our go-to methods for safely disposing of paint!

3 Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted Paint

Give It Away

If the paint is still usable, I always try to give it away before I trash it. After all, paint is pretty expensive! Although paint colors can be very personal, we’ve had good luck giving paint away using these options:

  • Post the paint on a neighborhood “FREE” page
  • Set the paint on a table in your driveway with a huge “FREE” sign on it (you’ll be amazed at who will stop to peruse what you have!)
  • Post the paint in local Buy, Sell, Trade Facebook pages
  • Bring the paint to your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore (which usually accepts raw materials and building supplies)
  • If you have a lot of paint in a single color, consider contacting local theater spaces, Boys and Girls clubs, Scout troops, or other organizations who might be able to use it on community projects
  • If you’re moving, offer it to the people moving into your place

Local Dump or HazMat Drop-Off Locations

Most communities and local dumps will have a household hazardous waste disposal location. Call ahead to find out what they accept, when, and if there is a fee for your unwanted items.

Oil-Based Household Products

While using a HazMat drop off can sometimes be a nuisance (depending on location and fees), it’s important to know that this is your only ONLY option for disposing of oil-based household products such as paints, varnishes, sealants, spray paint, pesticides, gasoline, chemicals, etc.

These products CANNOT be put in the trash like water-based products can.

Trash It

Last but not least, trashing (water-based) paint is always an option (and the fastest one at that!), but you can’t just pour it down the drain. Read on to see how to safely prepare your paint for the trash can.

How to Safely Dispose of Paint In Your Trash

As mentioned above, only water-based paint can be put in the trash. If you have oil-based paints, varnishes, shellac, etc, you will need to properly dispose of these items at a hazardous materials drop off location (whether they are hardened or not).

The following instructions can be used for water-based products including latex paint, acrylic paint, paint thinners, etc.

Do Not Put Liquid Paint In the Trash

Although it may be tempting to toss it in a heavy-duty bag and forget about it, do not put liquid paint into the trash. Further, putting paint down household or storm drains can damage pipes, sewers, and cause environmental contamination.

Harden the Paint Instead

Instead, take 5 minutes to harden the paint, right in the can itself, before tossing it in the trash can. It’s easy, inexpensive, and relatively mess-free.

How do you harden paint?

With cat litter (yes, seriously) or with packets of paint hardener that are available for just a few dollars at the hardware store.

(We like the packets over cat liter because they are pre-measured and you can pour them right into the can, practically eliminating any mess!)

A packet of HDX Waste Paint Hardener on a deck surface

Paint Hardener Packets

To harden your paint, simply pour the packet directly into the paint can and stir with a paint stick until it’s fully incorporated.

Have a lot of paint to harden? Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the quantity of packets you’ll need.

Paint hardener stirred into a can of paint

Within minutes and almost completely mess-free, your paint will be fully hardened, and you can then toss the whole can into your regular trash can!

Paint hardener stirred into a can of paint

Every time we move, we seemingly have a stack of paint cans to get rid of; and it’s usually an ordeal to find places to safely and legally drop them. Using paint hardener to dispose of paint reduces the mess and the stress, ultimately allowing us to toss paint cans right into our usual trash.

The next time you stumble upon old paint cans in the corner of a basement or on a garage shelf and think “I really need to get rid of those,” I hope this quick tip to safely dispose of paint gives you the motivation and know-how to finally do it!

See You Soon!
Megan