Paint recycling
in Maryland.
Paint drop-off in Baltimore, Annapolis, Howard County and western Maryland. Free paint recycling started in April 2026.
Check your local rules.
Paint stores in the PaintCare program take latex and oil-based house paint for free. Counties run their own hazardous waste programs, and some have none. Baltimore City and Baltimore County are separate, so check which one you live in.
Free paint recycling.
Maryland has a free paint recycling program called PaintCare. Many paint and hardware stores take leftover house paint, stain and varnish at no charge.
How it works in Maryland ↗6 cities
Annapolis ↗
Annapolis has no hazardous waste collection. Residents use Anne Arundel County's Saturday events on Riva Road; the last in 2026 is October 10. Latex can go to a county recycling center any time, or a PaintCare store.
Checked October 6, 2026MarylandBaltimore ↗
Baltimore City and Baltimore County have separate programs. City hazardous waste days at Sisson Street take oil paint, not latex. City latex goes to a PaintCare site; one on Russell Street takes up to 200 gallons from households.
Checked October 6, 2026MarylandColumbia ↗
Columbia isn't an incorporated city, so Howard County's programs apply. Paint and painting chemicals go to Alpha Ridge Landfill in Marriottsville on Saturdays, April through November. On weekdays, paint alone can go to a PaintCare store.
Checked October 6, 2026MarylandFrederick ↗
Frederick County has no year-round hazardous waste site. Since April 1, 2026, PaintCare stores take leftover paint free. The county's two yearly events at Keys Stadium now take latex and oil-based paint too.
Checked October 6, 2026MarylandHagerstown ↗
Washington County has no household hazardous waste collection, and Forty West Landfill takes no liquids. For liquid latex or oil-based house paint, use a Hagerstown PaintCare store. Latex can also be dried and thrown away.
Checked October 6, 2026MarylandRockville ↗
The City of Rockville no longer collects paint or household chemicals; Montgomery County's Shady Grove Transfer Station in Derwood does. Since April 2026, nearby PaintCare stores also take paint free.
Checked October 6, 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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