Paint recycling
in Iowa.
Paint disposal in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Iowa has no free paint recycling program, so you use your area's regional collection center for hazardous materials, and the rules differ from county to county.
Check your local rules.
Iowa DNR says latex paint isn't hazardous. You can dry it at home with cat litter, sawdust or paint hardener and put it in the garbage with the lid off; most collection centers charge a small fee if you bring it in. Oil-based paint goes to one of Iowa's 28 regional collection centers or 43 satellite sites, which are free for residents of their service area. In Des Moines, Metro Waste Authority's Bondurant site takes oil-based paint free up to 75 pounds and latex for $1 a gallon. Linn County's site in Marion and Iowa City's landfill take oil-based paint free and tell you to dry latex. Many centers run a free Swap Shop where you can leave or pick up usable paint.
No free state program.
Iowa 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
Cedar Rapids ↗
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, paint goes one of two ways. Oil-based paint goes free to the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency's hazardous materials drop-off on County Home Road in Marion, weekdays with no appointment. Latex paint isn't on that site's list. The agency and the city both say dried latex can go in the trash.
Checked October 12, 2026IowaDes Moines ↗
Iowa has no paint recycling program, so in Des Moines and the rest of Polk County, Metro Waste Authority handles leftover paint. Its main hazardous waste drop-off is in Bondurant, east of the city, and it has a smaller appointment site in Grimes. Oil-based paint is free there up to 75 pounds. Latex costs $1 a gallon, or you can dry it and put it in the trash.
Checked October 12, 2026IowaIowa City ↗
In Iowa City, Iowa, the City runs a free hazardous material drop-off at the Iowa City Landfill on Hebl Avenue SW for all of Johnson County, plus Kalona and Riverside. It takes oil-based paint up to 20 gallons a visit, three days a week. The City says latex paint isn't hazardous and should be dried and put in your trash instead.
Checked October 12, 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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