Paint recycling
in Idaho.
Paint disposal in Boise and Coeur d’Alene. Idaho has no PaintCare program, so stores don’t take paint back for free. Your county runs the drop-off, and the days, limits and rules differ from place to place.
Check your local rules.
Idaho DEQ says paint and stain from your home is household hazardous waste, but it’s exempt from hazardous waste rules. DEQ says to contact your county, public health district or local landfill to find your option. DEQ’s paint fact sheet says latex paint usually isn’t hazardous and oil-based paint usually is. Ada County (Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Kuna) takes latex and oil-based paint free at its landfill on Fridays and Saturdays and at mobile sites on Monday to Thursday afternoons. Kootenai County (Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls) takes up to 10 gallons a day free from residents at its two transfer stations on set days. Businesses must follow DEQ’s business rules. A very small business may use a landfill only if the landfill agrees first; Ada County runs a paid Friday program for them.
No free state program.
Idaho doesn’t have a statewide paint program, so it depends on your city or county. Each city guide shows where latex and oil-based paint can go.
3 cities
Boise ↗
In Boise, Idaho, leftover paint goes to Ada County’s free household hazardous waste program. You can take latex and oil-based paint to the drop-off at the Ada County Landfill on Seamans Gulch Road on Fridays and Saturdays, or to a mobile collection truck on Monday to Thursday afternoons. The truck’s spot depends on the day and the week of the month.
Checked October 13, 2026IdahoCoeur d'Alene ↗
In Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, leftover paint goes to Kootenai County’s free household hazardous waste drop-off at the Ramsey Transfer Station on N. Ramsey Road, open for hazardous waste on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The county’s Prairie Transfer Station in Post Falls takes it Fridays and Saturdays.
Checked October 13, 2026IdahoTwin Falls ↗
In Twin Falls, Idaho, leftover paint goes to the Twin Falls Transfer Station on Orchard Drive East, run by Southern Idaho Solid Waste (SISW). It takes household paint for free six days a week. Idaho has no PaintCare program, so stores don’t take paint back. The city’s garbage carts can’t take paint either.
Checked October 13, 2026Spray cans, thinner and other chemicals?
Paint stores won’t take these. Take them to your local household hazardous waste site. Your city guide lists it.
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