Paint recycling
in Montana.
Paint disposal in Missoula and Bozeman. Montana has no PaintCare program, so stores don’t take paint back for free. Many places dry out latex for the trash and send only oil-based paint to a hazardous waste drop-off.
Check your local rules.
Montana DEQ says many towns let you harden latex paint with clay cat litter or a paint hardener and put it in the trash, and that you should look for a local household hazardous waste collection for oil-based paint. DEQ notes that many Montana communities don’t have the money for these programs, so ask your county solid waste office. Missoula’s Home ReSource takes oil-based paint by Monday appointment for $20, and Bozeman’s Convenience Site on Story Mill Road takes it free Tuesday to Saturday. Neither takes latex. Billings takes hazardous waste at its landfill, Helena holds a fall hazardous waste event and latex paint exchanges in spring and fall, and Flathead County holds a collection day on the third Saturday of each month by appointment.
No free state program.
Montana 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.
4 cities
Billings ↗
In Billings, Montana, leftover paint goes to the Billings Regional Landfill at 5240 Jellison Road, which takes household paint and solvents Monday through Saturday. PaintCare lists it for households in Billings and Yellowstone County. No appointment is mentioned: keep the paint apart from other trash and follow the gate attendant. Montana has no PaintCare program, so there is no store take-back.
Checked October 13, 2026MontanaBozeman ↗
In Bozeman, Montana, oil-based paint goes free to the household hazardous waste drop-off at the Bozeman Convenience Site on Story Mill Road, Tuesday to Saturday. Latex paint isn’t taken there: Gallatin Solid Waste says to harden it with cat litter, sawdust or sand and put it in your trash.
Checked October 13, 2026MontanaKalispell ↗
In Kalispell, Montana, latex paint goes in your trash once it’s hard, and oil-based paint goes to Flathead County’s free hazardous waste collection at the county landfill on Highway 93 North. That collection runs only on the third Saturday of each month, by appointment, for Flathead County residents. Montana has no PaintCare program.
Checked October 13, 2026MontanaMissoula ↗
In Missoula, Montana, latex paint goes in your trash once it’s completely dry, or to Home ReSource as a donation if it’s still good. Oil-based paint, stain and spray paint go to the Household Chemical Disposal site at Home ReSource on Wyoming Street, by Monday appointment, for $20.
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.
Browse paint guides →