Paint recycling
in Virginia.
Paint disposal in Virginia Beach, Richmond, Arlington and Charlottesville. Virginia has no free paint recycling program, so where paint goes depends on your city or county.
Check your local rules.
Most cities and counties take oil-based paint free at a hazardous waste site or collection day, for residents only. Latex rules differ: Richmond says dry it and trash it, Arlington lets you trash only nearly empty cans once hardened, and Virginia Beach bans paint cans from trash carts. Virginia DEQ says never pour paint down a drain or on the ground, and to use your local collection when you have one. Check your own city or county’s rules before you dry or drive.
No free state program.
Virginia 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
Arlington ↗
Arlington is a county, not a city, so Arlington County runs everything here. Its Household Hazardous Materials facility at 565 31st St. S. takes paint for free: Saturdays without an appointment, Monday to Thursday by appointment. The fall E-CARE event is Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Checked October 7, 2026VirginiaCharlottesville ↗
Charlottesville sends paint to the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority’s Ivy center on Dick Woods Road, west of town in Albemarle County. Ivy takes latex and oil-based paint free every day but Sunday. Other paint products wait for the spring and fall hazardous waste days; the fall 2026 days have already passed.
Checked October 7, 2026VirginiaRichmond ↗
Richmond takes oil-based paint and solvents for free at the East Richmond Road Convenience Center, six days a week, for city residents only. Latex paint is different: the city and CVWMA say to let it dry and put it in your regular trash.
Checked October 7, 2026VirginiaVirginia Beach ↗
Virginia Beach takes household paint for free at the city landfill on Jake Sears Road, Tuesday through Saturday. You must prove you live in the city, and you can bring 5 gallons of liquid per visit. The city’s trash rules say paint cans don’t go in the black cart.
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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