Drop it off free
2 free paint drop-off sites within 12 miles.
- Sherwin-WilliamsPaint store2.3 mi
- Sherwin-WilliamsPaint store5.5 mi
- Sherwin-WilliamsPaint store28 mi
Ocean City, MD Paint Disposal
Everything you need to get rid of leftover paint responsibly in Ocean City.
NOW AVAILABLE IN OCEAN CITY
Paint recycling pickup. Book online.
Book a pickup $89 minimum · No next-day surcharge
All drop-off locations in and near Ocean City5
Start with these
Sherwin-Williams, Coastal Highway (PaintCare drop-off)
11901 Coastal Highway, Rear A, Ocean City, MD 21842
- Accepts
- House paint in latex or oil, plus stain and varnish, in cans no bigger than 5 gallons. Spray paint and thinner stay home.
- Who can use it
- Any Maryland household or business, including rental owners and painters, within PaintCare’s business limits.
- Hours
- During regular store hours, which PaintCare doesn’t print. Phone 410-723-5104 before you drive up Coastal Highway.
- Load limits
- A 5-gallon cap for each trip. Cans need their original label, a lid that seals and paint still inside.
- Fees
- No charge to drop off. The PaintCare fee is added to the price of new paint sold in Maryland.
PaintCare lists the address as 11901 Coastal Highway, Rear A, so check for a rear unit when you arrive.
Sherwin-Williams, Ocean Gateway (PaintCare drop-off)
11932 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842
- Accepts
- Leftover latex or oil-based house paint, deck and wood stain, and varnish, each in a can of 5 gallons or less.
- Who can use it
- Maryland homeowners, renters and businesses; businesses stay inside PaintCare’s business limits.
- Hours
- Store hours aren’t printed in PaintCare’s listing. Ring 410-213-9341 to check before you load up.
- Load limits
- Up to 5 gallons per visit. Aerosols, cans without the maker’s label, leakers and empties are refused.
- Fees
- Nothing to pay when you drop off.
Its address reads Ocean City, but it sits on Ocean Gateway, not Coastal Highway. Put the full street address in your map app.
Worcester County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day (Central Landfill, Newark)
7091 Central Site Lane, Newark, MD 21841
- Accepts
- Oil-based paint, thinners, fuels, pesticides, pool chemicals, automotive fluids, acids, batteries and CFL bulbs, plus computer towers and laptops. Water-based (latex) paint is not taken. In 2025 the county said keyboards, mice and other electronics would not be taken. Spray paint isn’t named either way.
- Who can use it
- Worcester County residents only.
- Hours
- Once a year (MDE lists Worcester as an annual program); the 2022, 2023 and 2025 days were in late October or early November. The last one was Saturday, November 1, 2025, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. No 2026 date was posted when we checked on October 16, 2026. The landfill itself is open Monday–Saturday 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. for homeowners and recycling.
- Load limits
- Not published in the county notices.
- Fees
- Free.
The county says water-based paint isn’t hazardous and shouldn’t come to any hazardous waste event; dry it with sand, kitty litter or mulch and put it in the trash. Inside Ocean City, though, the town lists paint as prohibited in its trash containers. The event location has moved before: in 2022 it was at the West Ocean City Park and Ride on U.S. Route 50. Hosted with Maryland Environmental Service and the Maryland Department of the Environment; in 2025 MXI Environmental Services handled disposal. The 2022 notice said an MDE representative would be on site checking vehicle registration.
Worcester County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, November 1, 2025 (water-based paint not accepted) ↗Worcester County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, October 29, 2022 (West Ocean City Park and Ride) ↗Worcester County Solid Waste (Central Landfill, homeowner convenience centers, permits) ↗Maryland Department of the Environment: local household hazardous waste programs by county ↗Town of Ocean City Solid Waste (collection schedule, 410-524-0318; paint prohibited in trash containers) ↗
2 PaintCare drop-off sites within 12 miles of Ocean City.
4 paint stores and 0 hazardous waste sites, closest first. Paint stores take house paint, stain and varnish, usually up to a set amount per visit. Hazardous waste sites also take chemicals like thinner, but some only serve local residents. Call before you go.
Rules most stores here share
Who: Households and Businesses in Maryland
Hours: Paint is accepted during regular business hours. Call ahead for hours and to make sure the store can accept the amount and type of paint you would like to recycle.
Products: This site accepts latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons in size. This site does not accept aerosols (spray paint or other spray products), containers without original labels, or containers that are leaking or empty.
Each listing below shows only what’s different, plus its limit.
Sherwin-Williams
2.3 mi11901 Coastal Hwy Rear A, Ocean City, MD 21842
- Limits
- Limit: 5 gallons per visit.
Sherwin-Williams
5.5 mi11932 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842
- Limits
- Limit: 5 gallons per visit.
Sherwin-Williams
28 mi705 Snow Hill Rd, Salisbury, MD 21804
- Limits
- Limit: 5 gallons per visit.
PPG Paints
28.2 mi317 Park Heights Ave, Salisbury, MD 21804
- Limits
- Limit: 5 gallons per visit.
From PaintCare’s drop-off map ↗, updated October 6, 2026. Hours and limits are PaintCare’s. Distances are straight-line, not driving.
Which option fits your Ocean City cleanout?4
You repainted your condo and have extra latex
Drop up to 5 gallons at either Sherwin-Williams, on Coastal Highway or Ocean Gateway. Call first. Don’t save latex for the county’s hazardous waste day; it won’t be taken.
You’re a rental owner with 40 gallons after the season
Spread it over several store trips at 5 gallons each, or ask PaintCare about a large-volume pickup if you reach 100 gallons. PaintCare lists both stores for businesses too.
You have paint thinner and an old can of oil-based enamel
The enamel can go to a PaintCare store. The thinner can’t, and Ocean City’s waste oil drop bans solvents. Store it sealed for Worcester County’s next hazardous waste day.
Your latex paint is dried out and lumpy
Stores won’t want it. Worcester County says to finish drying it with sand, kitty litter or mulch and put it in the trash. Inside town limits, Ocean City lists paint as prohibited in its trash containers, so call Solid Waste at 410-524-0318 before you set it out.
Ocean City rules and tips6
THE LOCAL ANSWER
Take up to 5 gallons of latex or oil-based house paint, stain or varnish to Sherwin-Williams at 11901 Coastal Highway (Rear A) or 11932 Ocean Gateway; call first. Don’t put paint in an Ocean City trash container; the town lists paint as prohibited. Worcester County’s hazardous waste day doesn’t take water-based paint, and no 2026 day was posted as of October 16, 2026; the last was November 1, 2025 at the Central Landfill in Newark.
In Ocean City, Maryland, the year-round paint option is one of two Sherwin-Williams stores PaintCare lists with Ocean City addresses: one on Coastal Highway and one on Ocean Gateway. Worcester County runs a single fall hazardous waste day for oil-based paint and other chemicals, and it turns away latex. This guide is for Ocean City in Worcester County, Maryland, not Ocean City, New Jersey.
Worcester says latex isn’t hazardous
All three recent county notices say water-based paint isn’t hazardous and shouldn’t come to any hazardous waste event. The county’s fix is to dry it or mix in sand, kitty litter or mulch, then put it in the trash. Inside town limits that clashes with the town’s trash rules, so a PaintCare store is the safer choice.
One county day a year, and it moves
Worcester held its hazardous waste day on October 29, 2022 at the West Ocean City Park and Ride, October 28, 2023 at the Central Landfill, and November 1, 2025 at the Central Landfill. It was free and for county residents only.
Paint is on the town’s banned-from-trash list
The Town of Ocean City lists “rocks, dirt, sod, paint or motor oil” among things that shouldn’t go in a solid waste container. The town trucks its trash to a Reworld energy-from-waste plant in Chester, Pennsylvania, not the county landfill. If you want to set out dried latex, ask Solid Waste at 410-524-0318 first.
The 65th Street oil drop isn’t for solvents
Ocean City Public Works takes residents’ used motor oil at 224 65th Street; call 410-524-4733 first, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The town says antifreeze, vegetable oil, animal oils and petroleum solvents are strictly prohibited, so paint thinner can’t go there.
County convenience centers don’t list paint
Worcester’s homeowner centers in Berlin, Snow Hill and Pocomoke City need a $100 yearly permit (it covers the first two vehicles in a household) or $1 pay-as-you-throw bag tags. The county doesn’t list paint drop-off at them.
Expect a residency check
The county day is free for Worcester residents only. The 2022 notice said an MDE representative would be on site checking vehicle registration, so a car registered at your Worcester address is your best bet. Ask the Recycling Division at 410-632-3177 what other proof works.
Free pickup programs and other options
PaintCare’s nearest other stores are in Salisbury (Sherwin-Williams on Snow Hill Road and PPG Paints on Park Heights Avenue). With 100 gallons or more, ask PaintCare about a free large-volume pickup. Usable paint can go to a neighbor or community group. PaintCare lists Delaware’s DSWA hazardous waste sites for Delaware households only, so they don’t help Ocean City residents.
Getting your paint ready
Keep paint in its original labeled can with a tight lid; stores won’t take leaking, unlabeled or empty cans, or spray paint. Count to 5 gallons per store visit. The county says to dry latex with sand, kitty litter or mulch for the trash, but the Town of Ocean City lists paint as prohibited in its trash containers, so town residents should call Solid Waste at 410-524-0318 before setting out dried paint.
Full preparation checklist →Ocean City questions6
Where can I recycle paint in Ocean City, MD?
At Sherwin-Williams, 11901 Coastal Highway, Rear A (410-723-5104), or Sherwin-Williams, 11932 Ocean Gateway (410-213-9341). Both are free PaintCare drop-offs, up to 5 gallons per visit.
Can I bring latex paint to the Worcester County hazardous waste day?
No. The county says water-based paint isn’t hazardous and shouldn’t come to any hazardous waste event. Take usable latex to a PaintCare store. The county says to dry the rest and trash it, but inside Ocean City the town lists paint as prohibited in trash containers, so call Solid Waste at 410-524-0318 first.
When is the next Worcester County hazardous waste day?
No 2026 date was posted as of October 16, 2026. The last one was November 1, 2025 at the Central Landfill in Newark. Call the county Recycling Division at 410-632-3177.
Can a rental company or contractor use the Ocean City stores?
Yes. PaintCare lists both stores for Maryland businesses and households, within PaintCare’s business limits. The county hazardous waste day is for residents only.
What about spray paint and thinner?
PaintCare stores don’t take aerosols or thinner, and the town’s oil drop-off bans solvents. Worcester’s hazardous waste day lists thinners, so keep thinner sealed for the next one. The county notices don’t name spray paint; ask the Recycling Division at 410-632-3177.
Can I leave paint for Ocean City bulk pickup?
The town’s bulk pickup is a paid service ($40 for the first item, $75 for up to three, $10 for each extra) for large items within town limits. Paint isn’t something it lists; use a PaintCare store instead.
Sources and how we checked14
October 16, 2026: checked PaintCare’s locator data for Ocean City (Sherwin-Williams, 11901 Coastal Hwy Rear A, and 11932 Ocean Gateway; households and businesses in Maryland; 5 gallons per visit; no aerosols). Read Worcester County’s notices for its 2025 (November 1, Central Landfill, Newark), 2023 (October 28, Central Landfill) and 2022 (October 29, West Ocean City Park and Ride) hazardous waste days, all with the same water-based paint rule, and its Solid Waste page (Central Landfill at 7091 Central Site Lane, hours, homeowner centers, $100 permits, $1 bag tags). MDE’s county list shows Worcester as an annual, residents-only program. Read the Town of Ocean City’s Solid Waste page (paint, motor oil and hazardous waste are on its list of prohibited container contents), Recycling (Reworld energy-from-waste contract; waste oil program at 224 65th Street, solvents prohibited) and Bulk Pickup pages. Conflict: the county says to dry latex and trash it; the town bans paint from its trash containers and doesn’t say whether dried paint counts. The county notices don’t name spray paint. Not found: a 2026 Worcester hazardous waste day, whether the town allows fully dried latex, and whether the county convenience centers accept dried latex. This guide covers the town and Worcester County; the Salisbury guide covers Wicomico County.
Checked October 16, 2026 against these sources, not by phone. How we research.
PaintCare Maryland program ↗PaintCare Maryland launch announcement (April 1, 2026 start) ↗PaintCare drop-off site locator ↗PaintCare accepted and excluded products ↗PaintCare business limits ↗PaintCare large-volume pickup ↗Worcester County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, November 1, 2025 (water-based paint not accepted) ↗Worcester County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, October 28, 2023 ↗Worcester County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, October 29, 2022 (West Ocean City Park and Ride) ↗Worcester County Solid Waste (Central Landfill, homeowner convenience centers, permits) ↗Maryland Department of the Environment: local household hazardous waste programs by county ↗Town of Ocean City Solid Waste (collection schedule, 410-524-0318; paint prohibited in trash containers) ↗Town of Ocean City Recycling (trash to Reworld energy-from-waste, waste oil program at 65th Street) ↗Town of Ocean City Bulk Pickup (fees, request form) ↗
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