
If you have unused paint that you want to dispose of in New York City, there are several options available to you. You can dry out water-based or latex paint and dispose of it in your regular trash, or recycle the container. Alternatively, you can drop off your unwanted paint at a PaintCare site, a nonprofit organization that oversees the proper disposal and recycling of paint. You can also donate your paint to a nonprofit organization, such as Big Reuse, or recycle it through the Safe Disposal Events program organized by the NYC Department of Sanitation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Disposal Options | Drop off at Paint Care site, donate to a non-profit, Safe Disposal Events, dry and dispose of in regular trash, recycle |
| Paint Types | Latex, oil-based, interior, exterior, primers, stains, sealers, clear finishes |
| Container Size | Up to 5 gallons per visit, some sites take more |
| Container Requirements | No leaking, unlabeled, or empty containers |
| Accepted Products | Paint, stain, varnish |
| Additional Information | NYC's Paint Stewardship Program provides a collection network of paint retailers, local government facilities, and reuse stores at more than 300 drop-off sites |
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What You'll Learn

Donate paint to a non-profit
If you're looking to dispose of paint in New York City, there are several options available to you. One option is to donate the paint to a non-profit organization. Many NYC non-profits, including Big Reuse, accept donations of both opened and unopened paint. Donating leftover paint is an excellent way to reduce waste and minimize your environmental impact.
When donating paint to a non-profit, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, ensure that the paint is handled and transported safely. Latex paint, in particular, can spill or leak during transit. It is recommended to label the paint cans with the color, type of paint, and the date it was purchased or used. This information can be helpful for the recipient organization and potential buyers.
If the paint is still in good condition, organizations like Big Reuse will sell it in their reuse centers, providing affordable options for those in need of paint. Any paint that is not suitable for reuse will be responsibly recycled through Paint Care, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the proper disposal and recycling of paints. Paint Care has drop-off sites all over New York City, making it convenient for donors to find a location nearby.
Additionally, it is worth noting that Safe Disposal Events, organized by the NYC Department of Sanitation, provide another avenue for paint recycling. These events offer a centralized way to responsibly dispose of paint and other harmful products. By visiting nyc.gov/safedisposal, you can stay informed about upcoming event dates and locations.
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Drop off at a Paint Care site
Paint Care is a nonprofit organisation created by paint manufacturers to oversee the proper disposal and recycling of paint. They have drop-off sites all over New York City, and you can check their map to find the site closest to you. All Paint Care sites accept up to 5 gallons per visit, and some take more. However, it is recommended that you call ahead to confirm business hours and ask if they can accept the type and amount of paint you would like to recycle.
Paint Care does not accept aerosol coatings, leaking, unlabelled, or empty containers. Containers should be five gallons in size or smaller and have original labels. No leaking, unlabelled, or empty containers. Spray paint is also not accepted.
Paint Care helps ensure the “highest, best use” for paint collected in the program, including giving away good quality material as-is, recycling it, or putting it to another beneficial use. Most of the paint PaintCare receives is latex-based and can be remixed into recycled content paint by processors.
PaintCare has processed more than 50 million gallons of paint nationally and saved state and local governments millions of dollars. New York’s PaintCare program follows similar paint stewardship laws and programs in nine other states and the District of Columbia.
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Dry it out and put in the trash
If you have leftover paint that you want to dispose of in New York City, one option is to dry it out and put it in the trash. This method applies to both latex and oil-based paints.
To do this, first, leave the lid off the can and allow the paint to dry out completely. This may take some time, depending on the amount of paint in the can. Once the paint is completely dry, you can dispose of it in your regular trash bin. You can then recycle the container.
It is important to note that you should not put the lid back on the paint can before disposing of it in the trash. Leaving the can open shows that it is empty. This is especially important for sanitation workers, who will be able to see at a glance that the can is no longer hazardous.
If you have a large amount of paint to dispose of, you may want to consider other options, such as donating it to a nonprofit organization or bringing it to a Paint Care drop-off site. These sites are run by PaintCare, a nonprofit organization created by the paint industry, and they accept up to five gallons of paint per visit.
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Safe Disposal Events
New York City's Department of Sanitation organises Safe Disposal Events, where you can recycle paint. The city's website, nyc.gov/safedisposal, provides details of these events, where you can bring harmful cleaning products for safe disposal.
Another option is to dry out your paint and dispose of it in your regular trash. To do this, leave the lid off the can and allow the paint to dry out completely. Once it's dry, you can throw it away and recycle the container.
If you're looking to recycle your paint, you can take it to a PaintCare drop-off site. PaintCare is a nonprofit organisation that oversees the proper disposal and recycling of paint and has drop-off sites all over the city. They accept up to five gallons of paint per visit, and you can check their website to find the nearest location to you.
Finally, you can also check with your community to see if there are any opportunities to donate unused paint for others to use.
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Oil-based paint disposal
Oil-based paint is considered harmful due to the hazardous chemicals it contains. It is recommended to use latex paint instead, as it is less harmful to the environment and can be cleaned up with just soap and water.
If you have oil-based paint that you need to dispose of, you can dry it out and then dispose of it in your regular trash. To do this, leave the lid off the can and let the paint dry out completely. Once it's dry, you can throw it away and recycle the container.
Alternatively, you can take your oil-based paint to a PaintCare drop-off site. PaintCare is a nonprofit organization that oversees the proper disposal and recycling of paints. They have sites all over New York City, and you can find the nearest one to you by entering your zip code, address, or city and state on their website. These sites accept up to 5 gallons of paint per visit, but it is recommended to call ahead to confirm they can accept your paint.
Another option is to donate your paint to a nonprofit organization, such as Big Reuse, which accepts donations of opened and unopened paint. Donating leftover paint helps reduce waste and lessens your environmental impact. Just be sure to handle and transport the paint safely, as it can spill or leak.
Finally, you can participate in a SAFE Disposal Event organized by the NYC Department of Sanitation. At these events, you can bring your unwanted paint for proper disposal and recycling. Visit nyc.gov/safedisposal for more information on these events and other disposal options.
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Frequently asked questions
You can recycle your unwanted paint at a PaintCare drop-off location. Both latex and oil-based products are accepted, and all locations accept up to five gallons per visit.
PaintCare has over 300 drop-off sites across New York State, including local government facilities, paint retail stores, and reuse stores. You can find the nearest drop-off site to you by entering your zip code, city, state, or street address on the PaintCare website.
If you have latex paint, you can leave the lid off the can and allow the paint to dry out completely. Once it's dry, you can dispose of the paint in your regular trash and recycle the container. You can also donate your paint to a nonprofit such as Big Reuse.










































