Paint recycling
in Kentucky.
Paint disposal in Louisville and Lexington. Kentucky has no PaintCare program or other statewide paint recycling, so you use your city or county’s hazardous waste site or collection day, and many places ask you to dry out latex and put it in the trash.
Check your local rules.
Kentucky’s Division of Waste Management gives grants to counties, cities and waste districts for household hazardous waste programs, so the rules are set locally. Louisville’s Haz Bin takes oil-based and lead paint year-round but not latex; Metro says to dry latex and bag it for the trash. Lexington holds one-day collections that take latex, oil-based and lead paint, and its Habitat ReStore takes good latex. Before you throw out usable paint, the Kentucky Division of Water suggests giving it to a community or theater group. Never pour paint on the ground or into a storm drain.
No free state program.
Kentucky 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.
2 cities
Lexington ↗
Lexington, Kentucky, has no year-round paint drop-off. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government holds one-day hazardous waste collections at the old landfill on Old Frankfort Pike, and the city sends good latex paint to the Habitat ReStore on Southland Drive. Small amounts of paint can be hardened and set out beside your green trash cart.
Checked October 12, 2026KentuckyLouisville ↗
In Louisville, Kentucky, what you do with paint depends on the type. Oil-based paint, lead paint, stain, varnish and spray paint go to the Haz Bin, Louisville Metro’s free hazardous waste drop-off at 7501 Grade Lane. The Haz Bin does not take latex paint, and Metro says it no longer has a latex paint recycling program. Metro tells you to dry latex out and put it in the trash.
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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