Many Sherwin-Williams stores take old paint, but only in states with a PaintCare program. As of October 6, 2026, PaintCare's locator listed 910 Sherwin-Williams stores in California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. It listed none elsewhere. Even in those states, not every store takes part, so call first.
Which Sherwin-Williams stores take paint?
Sherwin-Williams says it volunteers many of its stores as PaintCare drop-off sites. It also says to call the store to confirm it's a drop-off location. Take that seriously. Taking part is store by store.
Here is how many Sherwin-Williams stores PaintCare's locator listed on October 6, 2026, and the most common limit per visit in each state. A few stores in each state may set a different limit.
| State | Listed stores | Usual limit per visit | Other limits listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 192 | 20 gallons (174 stores) | 5, 10 or 15 gallons at 18 stores |
| Colorado | 80 | 5 gallons (73 stores) | 20 gallons at 1; no limit shown at 6 |
| Connecticut | 39 | 5 gallons | None |
| District of Columbia | 3 | 5 gallons | None |
| Illinois | 133 | 5 gallons | None |
| Maine | 23 | 5 gallons (21 stores) | No limit shown at 2 |
| Maryland | 65 | 5 gallons (59 stores) | 10 gallons at 6 |
| Minnesota | 69 | 5 gallons (62 stores) | 10 gallons at 2; no limit shown at 5 |
| New York | 138 | 5 gallons (129 stores) | 10 or 15 gallons at 9 |
| Oregon | 51 | 5 gallons (41 stores) | 10, 15 or 20 gallons at 10 |
| Rhode Island | 10 | 5 gallons | None |
| Vermont | 11 | 5 gallons | None |
| Washington | 96 | 20 gallons (67 stores) | 10 gallons at 20; 5 gallons at 9 |
What Sherwin-Williams stores take and don't take
Every Sherwin-Williams listing in the locator says the same thing about products. The store takes latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons.
Sherwin-Williams' PaintCare page adds the container rules: lid on tight, no leaks, and paint in its original container with the label on.
- Yes: latex and oil-based house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear finishes like varnish and shellac.
- No: spray paint and other aerosols.
- No: cans without the original label, leaking cans or empty cans.
- No: containers bigger than 5 gallons.
- No: thinners, solvents, art paint, auto paint, caulk, glue and two-part coatings like epoxy. PaintCare doesn't take these at any site.
How to drop off paint at Sherwin-Williams
- Find a listed store with PaintCare's locator, or Sherwin-Williams' store finder.
- Call that store. Ask if it's taking paint now and how much you can bring.
- Check every can: original label, tight lid, no leaks.
- Bring no more than the store's limit. At most stores that's 5 gallons.
- Go during store hours. PaintCare's listings say paint is taken during regular business hours.
- Hand the paint to staff. Don't leave cans at the door.
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Does Sherwin-Williams take paint in other states?
Not as far as any official list shows. PaintCare's locator lists no Sherwin-Williams store outside the 12 PaintCare states and DC. Sherwin-Williams' own paint disposal guide doesn't offer store take-back. It points you to PaintCare and to Earth911's recycling search.
Outside PaintCare states, call your city or county about household hazardous waste. If you can, use up or donate good paint.
Can contractors drop off paint at Sherwin-Williams?
All 910 listings say households and businesses can use them. But business oil-based paint has extra rules. Outside Illinois, a business can drop off oil-based paint only if it qualifies as an exempt generator under federal and state hazardous waste rules. Any business can drop off latex paint.
Per-visit limits still apply. With 100 gallons or more, PaintCare's free large-volume pickup is usually easier than many store trips.
What Sherwin-Williams sells for leftover paint
Sherwin-Williams lists Sunnyside M-1 Waste Paint Hardener in a 4.7 oz size. It's a powder that hardens paint spills and leftover paint so you can throw them out. Use it only on latex paint, and only where your trash company allows hardened paint.
Don't confuse it with the hardeners sold for two-part coatings like epoxy. Those are coating parts, not disposal products. Don't mix them into old paint.
In California, CalRecycle says not to dry paint for the trash at all. Take it to a drop-off site instead. A Sherwin-Williams store may be the closest one.
The PaintCare fee on your receipt
In PaintCare states, you pay a PaintCare fee when you buy new paint. Sherwin-Williams says the fee pays for collection, transport, recycling and outreach. It's not a tax or a deposit. You don't get it back when you drop off paint. Dropping off paint at a PaintCare site is free.
Checklist
- Confirm you live in a PaintCare state.
- Find the exact store in PaintCare's locator.
- Call to check it's taking paint and what the limit is.
- Bring only labeled, sealed, non-leaking cans of 5 gallons or less.
- Leave spray cans and thinners at home for a hazardous waste site.
- Over 100 gallons? Ask PaintCare about free pickup.
Common questions
Does every Sherwin-Williams take paint for recycling?
No. Stores choose to take part, and only in PaintCare states. Sherwin-Williams itself says to call the store to confirm.
Is it free to drop off paint at Sherwin-Williams?
Yes, at listed PaintCare stores. The PaintCare fee you pay on new paint covers the program.
How much paint can I bring to Sherwin-Williams?
Usually 5 gallons per visit. Most California and Washington stores list 20 gallons. Check the store's listing and call first.
Does Sherwin-Williams take oil-based paint?
Listed stores take oil-based house paint, stains and varnish from households. Businesses outside Illinois must qualify as exempt generators.
Does Sherwin-Williams take spray paint?
No. PaintCare sites don't take aerosols. Take spray cans to a household hazardous waste site.
Does Sherwin-Williams take paint I bought somewhere else?
PaintCare's rules are about the product and the container, not the brand or where you bought it. If you're unsure, ask the store when you call.
Does Sherwin-Williams take empty paint cans?
No. PaintCare sites don't take empty cans. Ask your trash or recycling company about dry, empty cans.
Does Sherwin-Williams take old paint in Texas, Florida or other non-PaintCare states?
PaintCare's locator lists no Sherwin-Williams stores there. Call your city or county about household hazardous waste instead.
Sources
Checked October 7, 2026. Your local drop-off site’s rules come first.
Sherwin-Williams: PaintCare program ↗Sherwin-Williams: how to store and dispose of leftover paint ↗Sherwin-Williams: Sunnyside M-1 Waste Paint Hardener ↗PaintCare: drop-off site locator ↗PaintCare: locator site data (synced October 6, 2026) ↗PaintCare: products we accept ↗PaintCare: frequently asked questions ↗PaintCare: business limits ↗PaintCare: large volume pickup ↗CalRecycle: paint management questions and answers ↗How we research →