
If you're looking to dispose of empty paint cans in Ottawa, you have several options. You can recycle the cans by placing them in your blue recycling box. However, ensure that they are completely empty and dry before doing so. Alternatively, you can return them to a retailer that accepts paint cans for recycling, such as RONA, Lowe's, Bonds Decor, or Home Hardware. Additionally, the City of Ottawa hosts household hazardous waste events where you can dispose of paint cans, and some municipalities offer paint recycling services for large volumes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Disposal of empty paint cans | Return to a retailer or dispose of at a City of Ottawa household hazardous waste event |
| Disposal of empty aerosol cans | Place in the blue bin if they have an explosive hazard symbol; otherwise, they are considered hazardous waste |
| Disposal of non-empty paint cans | Return to a retailer or dispose of at a City of Ottawa household hazardous waste event |
| Disposal of large volumes of paint containers | Use Product Care Recycling services for large volumes |
| Paint recycling bins | Retailers such as Dulux Paints, Rona, Lowe's, Bonds Decor, and Home Hardware have paint recycling bins |
| PaintShare program | Free recycled paint is available through this program |
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What You'll Learn

Disposing of empty paint cans at hazardous waste events
It is important to note that paint is considered hazardous waste, and improper disposal can contaminate water and landfills. Therefore, it should never be poured down the drain or put out with regular garbage. If you are unable to attend a hazardous waste event, there are other options for disposing of your empty paint cans in Ottawa.
Some retailers, such as Rona, Lowe's, Bonds Decor, and Home Hardware, accept paint for recycling. However, it is important to check with the retailer beforehand, as some locations may have restrictions on the number and size of cans they can accept. Additionally, if you have a large volume of paint cans, you may be eligible for a free pick-up service through Product Care Recycling.
When preparing your empty paint cans for disposal, ensure that they are completely dry and free of any residual paint. You may also need to provide the original label and lid, depending on the requirements of the disposal method you choose. By following these guidelines, you can safely and responsibly dispose of your empty paint cans at hazardous waste events or through alternative methods in Ottawa.
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Retailers that accept paint for recycling
The City of Ottawa organises household hazardous waste events where residents can dispose of their paint. However, these events are seasonal and do not take place in winter. The Waste Explorer website provides information on the dates and locations of these events.
If you are unable to attend these events, you can dispose of your paint by returning it to a retailer. The City's Waste Explorer website or app can help you find a retailer near you that accepts paint for recycling.
One such retailer is Lowe's on Innes, where residents can drop off their old paint cans. There is a cart next to the return counter for paint returns.
Additionally, Product Care, a recycling program in Ontario, offers a free pick-up service for those with more than 10 containers of paint or 50 spray cans. They also have recycling locations, including some retail stores and municipal depots, where you can drop off paint for recycling.
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Disposing of empty aerosol paint cans
Once the can is empty, the next step is to determine whether it is recyclable. In Ottawa, empty aerosol cans with an explosive hazard symbol can be disposed of in your blue bin. All other aerosol cans are considered hazardous waste. If the can contains hazardous materials, such as pesticides, solvents, or propane, it should be taken to a safe disposal site for hazardous waste. These sites can be found by searching for "hazardous waste collection" in your city or county.
If the can does not contain hazardous materials and is not accepted by your local recycling program, it can be thrown away with your regular trash. However, it is important to note that aerosol cans are pressurized and may contain residual chemicals, which could potentially cause a harmful reaction if mixed with other chemicals. Therefore, it is recommended to empty the cans using a safe method, such as the Aerosolv® aerosol recycling system, before disposal. This system punctures and empties the cans, rendering them compliant with the EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and safe for disposal.
Alternatively, you can take empty aerosol cans to a scrap yard, especially if they are made of aluminum or steel, as these materials may be purchased from you. Additionally, you can offer the aerosol products to someone who might use them, such as local artists, to ensure they don't go to waste.
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Disposing of paint cans with leftover paint
If you have leftover paint in your cans, you can dispose of it at one of the City of Ottawa's household hazardous waste events. These events are held at various locations across the city, and you can find the schedule on the City of Ottawa website. At these events, staff will direct you to a designated parking area, and they will remove the waste from your trunk. You can also dispose of paint by returning it to a retailer. Some retailers that accept paint returns include Lowes on Innes and other participating retail stores and municipal depots.
If you have less than 10 containers of paint or 50 spray cans, you can find a drop-off location near you. There are over 400 recycling locations across Ontario, including some retail stores and municipal depots. You can use the recycling locator on the PaintShare website to find a location near you. Paint must be in its original container, tightly sealed, and have the labels affixed.
If you have more than 10 containers of paint or 50 spray cans, you may be eligible for a free pick-up service. You can also get recycled paint for free through the PaintShare program.
If you are unable to get to a disposal event or drop-off location, you can dispose of your leftover paint by mixing it with cat litter, letting it dry, and then throwing it out with your regular garbage. You can then recycle the empty paint cans. However, it is important to note that this method should only be used for latex paint. For other types of paint, such as oil-based paint, you must use one of the proper disposal methods mentioned above.
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Disposing of oil-based paints
The City of Ottawa organises household hazardous waste events where residents can bring their hazardous waste for proper disposal. These events are held at various locations throughout the city, and the website provides information on the dates and locations of these events. Residents can also use the Waste Explorer to find local retailers that accept hazardous waste for recycling or disposal.
It is important to note that oil-based paints are considered hazardous waste and should not be poured down the drain or put out with regular garbage. These products can contaminate water and landfills.
When disposing of oil-based paints, ensure that they are in their original containers with the original labels and lids. Some programs may have restrictions on the number of containers that can be dropped off at once, so it is important to check with the specific program or event before bringing your waste.
In addition to the City's programs, there are also private companies that offer paint recycling services in Ontario. These companies may offer free pick-up services for larger quantities of paint and provide recycled paint to the community through programs like PaintShare.
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Frequently asked questions
Empty paint cans can be disposed of in your recycling or at a retailer. If there is any paint left in the can, you can leave it open overnight to let it dry before disposal.
If you have more than 10 containers of paint, you can use the free pick-up service provided by Product Care Recycling.
If you have paint leftover in the cans, you can stir in cat litter and let it dry before disposing of the painted litter in the trash. You can also dispose of paint at one of the City's household hazardous waste events or by returning it to a retailer.











































