Paint recycling
in Ohio.
Paint drop-off in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton and Akron. Ohio has no free paint recycling program, so each county runs its own rules.
Check your local rules.
Latex paint isn’t hazardous. Ohio EPA says to dry it with cat litter, sawdust or a hardener and put it in the trash with the lid off. Liquid paint can’t go in the trash. Oil-based paint, stain and thinner go to your county or city household hazardous waste program. Ohio EPA says to call your solid waste district, because some programs no longer take paint at all. Many only take latex for a fee, and some only open a few days a year. Ohio’s universal waste rule for paint covers businesses, not households.
No free state program.
Ohio 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.
6 cities
Akron ↗
Akron residents use Summit ReWorks’ hazardous waste center in Stow, but it only opens on summer Thursdays. The 2026 season ended September 24. It reopens June 3, 2027. Latex was never taken there: ReWorks says to dry it and put it in the trash.
Checked October 7, 2026OhioCincinnati ↗
Hamilton County has no year-round free drop-off for paint. The county’s one free collection day for 2026 was October 2 and is over. Most Cincinnati homes should dry latex for the garbage cart, donate good latex to Matthew 25: Ministries in Blue Ash, and pay a private company on Spring Grove Avenue to take oil-based paint.
Checked October 7, 2026OhioCleveland ↗
Cleveland takes oil-based paint and other household chemicals for free, but only on the first Friday of each month, at the Carr Center on Carnegie Avenue and the Ridge Road Transfer Station. Latex paint is not taken there. The city and the county both say to dry latex and put it in your trash.
Checked October 7, 2026OhioColumbus ↗
Columbus trash goes through SWACO, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio. SWACO runs a free hazardous waste site on the Near East Side at E. 8th and Essex, open on weekdays. It takes oil-based paint for free. Latex paint isn’t part of the free program: dry it for the trash, or pay about $1 a gallon to drop it there.
Checked October 7, 2026OhioDayton ↗
The City of Dayton sends residents to the Montgomery County Solid Waste District for hazardous waste. The county’s drop-off in Moraine takes latex and oil-based paint for free, but only on Tuesday afternoons, and only on the first Tuesday from November through February. For small amounts, the county says to dry the paint and throw it out.
Checked October 7, 2026OhioToledo ↗
In Toledo, the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District takes paint by appointment on Thursday and Saturday mornings. Latex costs $1 a can (up to a gallon) and oil-based paint is $1 a pound. Latex can also be dried and put in the trash. The city’s 2026 hazardous waste days are over.
Checked October 7, 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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