THE LOCAL ANSWERDry leftover paint with kitty litter, sand or a hardening agent, or let it harden with the lid open, then put it in your Republic Services trash cart. Never put liquid paint in the cart. Wet paint can go to the city's yearly household hazardous waste day (up to 15 gallons in 2026, residents only), but no 2027 date was posted as of October 17, 2026.
In Lake Havasu City, Arizona, leftover paint goes in the trash once it's dried, using kitty litter, sand or a hardener. Wet paint can wait for the yearly free collection day the city holds with Republic Services, last held April 18, 2026. The city's pages disagree on whether it's once or twice a year. Arizona has no PaintCare program, so there is no PaintCare store drop-off network here.
Dried paint is regular trash here
The city's Hazardous Waste page says letting paint dry lets you throw it out with regular garbage. Open the lid and let it harden, or buy a hardening agent at a hardware store. The trash cart rules say paint can be dried with kitty litter or sand and placed in the cart.
No liquids in the cart
The city's cart rules for Republic Services carts ban tires, car batteries, liquids and other hazardous wastes, and allow residential household waste only. Commercial and remodeling debris are also out. Questions about carts go to 928-505-7410.
Spray paint goes on cardboard
The city says to spray leftover spray paint onto a piece of cardboard and put it in regular trash.
The yearly collection day took 15 gallons
The April 18, 2026 event at Fire Station 2 took up to 15 gallons of oil or latex paint, stain, varnish, solvent and thinner, ideally in five- or six-gallon buckets. It was for residents only, with ID or a recent city trash bill. The city calendar showed no later date on October 17, 2026. The Trash & Recycling page says the event is once a year, but the Hazardous Waste page says Republic offers two collection days a year.
Mohave County runs separate events
Mohave County holds free events for county residents in Kingman and Bullhead City that take latex and oil-based paint and thinners. Its page listed the fall 2026 events for Saturday, October 17 in Kingman and Sunday, October 18 in Bullhead City. Neither is in Lake Havasu City, so treat them as an extra option, not your plan, and check the county page (928-757-0903) for later dates.
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