
Paint is considered a toxic chemical and can cause short-term and long-term damage. It is illegal to open dump or open burn in Indiana, and citizens are responsible for properly disposing of their solid waste. In Indianapolis, there are various household hazardous waste collection programs, such as drop-off sites, across the state. Residents of Hamilton County can dispose of their unwanted latex paint at home if they have dry paint or empty cans. Otherwise, liquid latex paint and oil- or solvent-based paints can be brought to the HHW Drop Off Center for disposal or reuse. Residents of Marion County can find HHW drop-off sites at Indy.gov. Additionally, private companies like LoadUp offer curbside pickup services for a fee.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Paint type | Oil-based, solvent-based, latex, water-based |
| Disposal options | Hazardous waste collection programs, drop-off sites, recycling, donation, drying paint and disposing with regular garbage |
| Disposal service providers | LoadUp, Fire Dawgs Junk Removal |
| Disposal cost | Starts at $15 per can, plus a one-time minimum pick-up fee |
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What You'll Learn

Hamilton County, Indiana, accepts unused paint
The HHW Drop-Off Center accepts both latex paint and oil or solvent-based paints. Latex paint that is still liquid can be brought to the center for disposal or reuse, while dried latex paint can be placed in your curbside trash with the lid off. Oil or solvent-based paints are considered hazardous waste and must be brought to the HHW Drop-Off Center for proper disposal.
Advanced registration is encouraged for dropping off household wastes such as paint. Residents can register by visiting the Hamilton County website or calling 317-776-4005 and pressing 1 to speak to a technician. However, residents will not be refused if they fail to register, but they should let the technicians know so that their information can still be recorded.
The HHW Drop-Off Center is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and county government holidays. The center is located in Hamilton County, and only residents of the county are allowed to use the facility for disposing of their personal household hazardous waste.
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Water-based paint can be solidified and put in the trash
Water-based paint, also known as latex paint, is not considered hazardous waste. However, it is important to dispose of it properly. If you have water-based paint that you no longer need, you can solidify it and put it in the trash. Here's how to do it:
- Remove the lid from the paint container.
- Add a drying agent such as kitty litter, sawdust, soil, or shredded paper to the paint. Stir the mixture until it reaches an "oatmeal-like" consistency.
- Place the uncovered container in a well-ventilated area, away from children and pets, and allow the mixture to harden.
- Once the paint is completely dry and no longer able to spill, close the lid and dispose of the container in your curbside trash.
It is important to note that disposing of paint improperly can harm the environment and human health. Therefore, always follow the recommended steps to ensure safe and responsible disposal of water-based paint. Additionally, consider other options for paint disposal, such as recycling or donating unused paint to community groups or schools.
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Oil-based paint is hazardous waste
Oil-based paint is a hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. Improper disposal can introduce toxins to your water sources and the environment. In Indiana, it is illegal to open dump or burn waste, and all residents are responsible for properly disposing of their solid waste, including hazardous household items.
Oil-based paint is toxic and can be flammable, corrosive, or reactive. These qualities can pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. When disposing of oil-based paint, never pour it down the drain, into sewers, or on the ground. Do not put it in your regular garbage, as this can create serious hazards for the environment and potentially expose humans and wildlife to toxic materials.
To dispose of oil-based paint properly, you can take it to a hazardous waste collection site or event. Many municipalities will collect unwanted paint for community projects, and some facilities offer hazardous waste recycling. In Hamilton County, Indiana, residents can take oil-based paint to the HHW Drop-Off Center for proper disposal.
Before disposing of oil-based paint, you should dry out any remnant paint using cat litter, sawdust, or concrete mix. You can also leave the lid off the paint can for a few days to let it dry. Once the paint is dry, you can take the can to a hazardous waste facility.
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PaintCare sites accept paint for recycling
PaintCare is an organization that makes it easy to recycle leftover paint. They operate recycling programs on behalf of paint manufacturers in states with paint stewardship laws. PaintCare sites accept up to 5 gallons of paint per visit, and some sites take more. It is recommended to call ahead to confirm business hours and ask if they can accept the type and amount of paint you would like to recycle.
PaintCare sites do not accept aerosol coatings, leaking, unlabeled, or empty containers. They also do not accept water used to clean out paint sprayers or brushes. Businesses can drop off any volume of water-based PaintCare products that a site chooses to accept, but there are restrictions on the volume of oil-based PaintCare products.
The leftover paint collected at PaintCare sites is managed according to a policy of the highest and best use. Better-quality paint may be made available to consumers through reuse programs, and most of the paint is recycled. If it can’t be reused or recycled, processors find the next best use for it. Latex-based products make up about 80% of what PaintCare accepts at drop-off sites, and most of the paint is used to manufacture recycled-content paint products.
To find a PaintCare drop-off site near you, you can use the PaintCare site locator, which lists all of the retailers and household hazardous waste facilities that have partnered with PaintCare to accept leftover paint from the public. The site locator can be helpful even if you are not in a PaintCare state, as it includes a comprehensive listing of locations throughout the United States that accept leftover paint from the public.
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Paid services in Indianapolis offer paint disposal
Fire Dawgs Junk Removal is another paid service in Indianapolis that can take your old or unused paint, but only if it is dried and not in liquid form. They offer free in-person estimates and can be contacted at 800-211-DAWG.
Additionally, Hamilton County, Indiana, provides a drop-off service for household wastes, including paint. Although this service is not free, advanced registration is encouraged. The HHW Drop-Off Center accepts latex paint that is empty or dry, as well as oil-based paints that require proper disposal.
These paid services offer a hassle-free way to dispose of your old paint responsibly and contribute to a sustainable future for Indianapolis.
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Frequently asked questions
Unused paint can be disposed of for free at the HHW Drop Off Center in Hamilton County.
The HHW Drop Off Center accepts oil-based paints and liquid latex paint.
Yes, latex paint can be disposed of at home if it is dry or empty. To dry latex paint, remove the lid and place the can in a well-ventilated area away from children and pets. You can also add an absorbent material like kitty litter, sawdust, or soil to speed up the process. Once the paint is dry, place the uncovered container in your curbside trash.
Advanced registration is encouraged for dropping off household waste at the HHW Center. However, it is not mandatory, and residents will not be refused for failing to register. The HHW Center is open Tuesday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Yes, there are a few other options for paint disposal in Indianapolis. You can check with local schools to see if they are in need of paint donations. Additionally, companies like LoadUp offer paint pickup services starting at \$15 per can, plus a one-time minimum pick-up fee.











































