How contractors and property managers can get rid of paint

Job paint is business waste

Federal rules exempt household hazardous waste, but only waste people make at home through normal living. EPA limits that exemption to waste made by people at home. Paint left over from paid jobs, rentals and building upkeep is usually treated as business waste, even if the cans look like home paint.

If you're not sure who counts as the waste maker on a job, ask your state environmental agency. Don't guess, and don't pass job paint off at a households-only site.

Is your business a very small generator?

PaintCare's oil-based paint rules for businesses depend on your federal hazardous waste category. Under EPA rules, a very small quantity generator (VSQG) must meet both of these:

• Makes no more than 100 kilograms of hazardous waste per calendar month. PaintCare says that's about 25 gallons or 220 pounds.
• Never has more than 1,000 kilograms stored at once. PaintCare says that's about 250 gallons or 2,200 pounds.
• Also makes no more than 1 kilogram per month of acutely hazardous waste.

PaintCare business rules by state

Any business can use PaintCare for water-based products like latex paint. Oil-based rules depend on the state. Some states also use different generator categories than EPA does, so check your state's own guidance.

Which drop-off sites take business paint?

Not all of them. We counted PaintCare's locator listings as of October 6, 2026.

• Store-type sites: 2,486 take paint from households and businesses. 150 take it from households and very small businesses. 178 take it from households only.
• Household hazardous waste sites: 160 take very small business waste too. 151 are households only. 151 listings say some businesses can use them by appointment or on special days. These counts cover PaintCare states.
• Most stores take 5 gallons per visit. Some take 10 or 20. A few transfer stations and county sites take much more.

1. Search the locator and read each site's "who can use it" line.
2. Call ahead. Say it's business paint and give the amount and types.
3. Ask if you need an appointment, a form or a business ID.
4. Split loads by product type before you go.

Free large-volume pickup for 100+ gallons

PaintCare offers free pickup to contractors, property managers, businesses and households with 100 gallons or more of eligible paint in PaintCare states. It counts by container size, not by how full each can is. Apply with PaintCare's Large Volume Pickup form or call (855) PAINT09.

Reaching 100 gallons doesn't mean automatic approval. Oil-based paint from a business still has to meet the exempt generator rule, except in Illinois and for New York pickups.

What PaintCare won't take from anyone

Some products contractors use often aren't in the program at all. You'll need a household hazardous waste site that takes business waste, or a licensed hazardous waste company.

• Paint thinners, mineral spirits and other solvents.
• Spray paint and other aerosols.
• Two-part coatings like epoxy, and industrial maintenance or shop-applied coatings.
• Traffic and road-marking paint, roof patch, tar and asphalt products.
• Caulk, glue, colorants, tints and paint additives.
• Containers over 5 gallons, and leaking, unlabeled or empty containers.
• Sprayer and brush wash water.

Sort job waste by product

Before you load the truck, sort what you have. This table shows where each common job product can go.

If you're not a very small generator

Outside Illinois, you can still recycle latex paint through PaintCare. For oil-based paint and solvents, use a licensed hazardous waste company. Ask for a written quote, what paperwork you'll get, and where the waste goes.

Even very small generators must make sure their hazardous waste goes to a person or place allowed to handle it, EPA says. In Washington, Ecology says small generators can take waste to a permitted hazardous waste facility or a local moderate risk waste facility, or hire a waste service.

California is stricter about latex paint

CalRecycle says California presumes latex paint waste is hazardous, not just oil-based paint. It also says drying paint on purpose without a hazardous waste permit isn't allowed. So in California, don't dry out leftover job paint for the dumpster. Take it to a drop-off site that takes business paint, use PaintCare pickup, or hire a licensed company.

Tips for property managers

• Keep one locked, shaded storage spot for building paint. Label each can with the unit and date.
• After a tenant moves out, sort leftover paint right away. Don't let it pile up in a hot shed.
• Keep tenant-left paint separate from your maintenance paint, and ask your state agency how to handle it.
• Count by container size. Several buildings' worth of paint can reach PaintCare's 100-gallon pickup level.
• Keep good, matching paint for touch-ups. Donate the rest if a local group wants it.

Keep records

Simple records protect you if anyone asks where the paint went. Write down the job or property, the product types, container sizes and count, the date and where it went.

Keep pickup approvals, drop-off receipts, haulers' paperwork and a list of anything a site turned down. Photos of a few typical labels help too.

Pass the PaintCare fee on in your quotes

PaintCare is paid for by a fee on new paint sold in each PaintCare state. PaintCare says contractors are expected to pass that fee on to customers. Check with your suppliers and include it in your bids. Dropping off paint at PaintCare sites is free.

When paid pickup makes sense

If you have under 100 gallons, no time for store drop-off limits, or a turnover deadline, paid pickup can help. Paint Again quotes contractor, landlord and business loads before booking. We don't take oil-based paint yet, so use a licensed hazardous waste company or an eligible PaintCare option for it.