In the 12 PaintCare states and DC, many paint and hardware stores take old house paint free. Sherwin-Williams, Ace, Dunn-Edwards, PPG and True Value have the most listed stores. As of October 6, 2026, PaintCare's locator listed two Home Depot stores and no Lowe's. Each store chooses to take part, so look up the address and call first.
Which chains take paint back?
We counted PaintCare's locator listings by chain name. These numbers come from PaintCare's list as of October 6, 2026. They only cover the 12 PaintCare states and DC. A listing means PaintCare says that store is a drop-off site. It doesn't mean every store in the chain is one.
| Chain | Listed stores | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | 910 | All 12 states and DC |
| Ace Hardware | About 440 | All 12 states and DC; most in California and Illinois |
| Dunn-Edwards | 129 | California |
| PPG Paints | 57 | 11 states; most in California |
| True Value | 52 | 11 states |
| Aubuchon Hardware | 47 | Vermont, Maine, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island |
| Rodda Paint | 32 | Washington and Oregon |
| Miller Paint | 21 | Washington and Oregon |
| Hardware Hank | 12 | Minnesota |
| Home Depot | 2 | Atascadero and San Luis Obispo, California |
| Walmart | 2 | Arroyo Grande and Paso Robles, California |
| Lowe's | 0 | None |
| Menards | 0 | None |
Why one store takes paint and the next one doesn't
PaintCare says stores volunteer to be drop-off sites. About 20% of paint retailers in each state take part.
Every store that sells house paint in a PaintCare state must charge the PaintCare fee. So a fee on your receipt doesn't mean that store takes paint back. Neither does a recycling logo or a brand's green web page.
Sherwin-Williams, the biggest chain on the list, says it plainly: call the store to confirm it's a drop-off location before you go.
Stores that take paint, by state
These are the store-type listings in PaintCare's locator. A few are transfer stations or reuse centers that PaintCare files with stores. Household hazardous waste sites are listed separately and aren't counted here.
| State | Listings | State | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 678 | Minnesota | 209 |
| Colorado | 217 | New York | 385 |
| Connecticut | 161 | Oregon | 180 |
| District of Columbia | 8 | Rhode Island | 30 |
| Illinois | 379 | Vermont | 76 |
| Maine | 126 | Washington | 257 |
| Maryland | 113 | Total | 2,819 |
What paint stores take and don't take
PaintCare stores take the same kinds of products. Some take less than the full list, so ask.
- Yes: latex and oil-based house paint and primer, stains, deck and floor paint, sealers, varnish, shellac, lacquer and rust-preventive metal paint.
- Yes, with rules: each container must be 5 gallons or smaller, with the original label and a tight lid.
- No: spray paint and other aerosols.
- No: thinners, mineral spirits and other solvents.
- No: art and craft paint, auto and boat paint, caulk, glue, epoxy and other two-part coatings.
- No: empty, leaking or unlabeled cans.
How much can you bring?
PaintCare says every site takes at least 5 gallons per visit. Most stores stop there. About 1,700 store-type listings have a 5-gallon limit. About 560 take 20 gallons, mostly in California and Washington. About 250 of those are Sherwin-Williams stores. About 290 take 10 gallons.
Ask the store how it counts partly full cans before you load up.
If you have a lot of paint, several store trips add up fast. With 100 gallons or more, ask about PaintCare's free large-volume pickup.
Can businesses and contractors use paint stores?
Most store listings say they take paint from households and businesses. In our count, 2,486 store-type listings say that. 178 take paint from households only. 150 take paint from households and very small businesses.
Outside Illinois, a business can drop off oil-based paint only if it qualifies as an exempt generator under hazardous waste rules. Any business can drop off latex paint at sites that take business paint.
How to drop off paint at a store
- Search your ZIP code in PaintCare's locator.
- Pick a store and note its exact address and phone number.
- Call. Try: "Are you taking paint for recycling right now? I have four one-gallon cans of labeled latex wall paint from my home. Can I bring them today?"
- Mention anything else separately: stain, spray paint, an unlabeled can or paint from a business.
- Check each can: original label, tight lid, no leaks, 5 gallons or less.
- Load cans upright and secure them so they can't tip.
- Go during store hours and hand the paint to staff. Never leave it outside.
What if you don't live in a PaintCare state?
Store take-back is rare outside PaintCare states. The locator shows only a few store listings elsewhere. Examples include three Benjamin Moore stores in Tennessee and North Carolina, a few Benjamin Moore dealers in Georgia, and some Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Rules and fees vary, so call first.
Your city or county is the main option. Ask about household hazardous waste sites or collection days. Some take latex paint. Others tell you to harden it and put it in the trash.
Paint store or hazardous waste site?
Both are free for house paint in PaintCare states. Pick the one that fits your load.
| Your situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A few cans of labeled house paint or stain | Paint store | Stores take paint during regular business hours |
| Paint plus spray cans, thinner or cleaners | Hazardous waste site | Stores don't take aerosols or solvents |
| Old or unlabeled cans | Hazardous waste site | Stores won't take cans without the original label |
| More than 5 gallons | Store with a higher limit, a hazardous waste site, or several trips | Most stores stop at 5 gallons per visit |
| 100 gallons or more | PaintCare large-volume pickup | Free pickup instead of dozens of trips |
| Business paint | A site that lists businesses | Some sites are households only |
When a store isn't the best choice
A store works well for a few cans of plain house paint. It's not the right place for spray paint, thinners or unlabeled cans. Take those to a household hazardous waste site, which takes many kinds of chemicals at once.
If a store says no, ask what other option is open now. A store that was on a list last year may have stopped.
If you have too much paint to carry, no car or no time, a pickup service can help. Paint Again picks up leftover house paint from your home. Check the free options first.
Checklist
- Search your ZIP code in PaintCare's locator.
- Match the exact store address, not just the chain name.
- Call to confirm it's taking paint now.
- Tell staff what products, can sizes and how much you have, and whether it's home or business paint.
- Bring only labeled, sealed cans of 5 gallons or less.
- Hand the paint to staff during store hours.
Common questions
Do paint stores have to take back old paint?
No. In PaintCare states, stores must charge the PaintCare fee, but taking paint back is voluntary. About 20% of paint retailers take part.
Does Sherwin-Williams take old paint?
As of October 6, 2026, PaintCare's locator listed 910 Sherwin-Williams stores in the 12 PaintCare states and DC, and none elsewhere. Call the store to confirm.
Does Home Depot or Lowe's take old paint?
As of October 6, 2026, PaintCare's locator listed two Home Depot stores, both in San Luis Obispo County, California. It listed no Lowe's stores. Participation can change, so check the locator.
Does Ace Hardware take old paint?
Some do. PaintCare lists about 440 Ace stores in PaintCare states. Check the exact store. A chain name alone doesn't mean a store takes paint.
Is it free to drop off paint at a store?
Yes, at PaintCare sites. The fee charged on new paint pays for the program.
If I bought paint at a store, does it have to take it back?
No. Returns and recycling are separate. A store can sell you paint and still not be a drop-off site.
Can I bring paint from another state to a store?
Plan on using a site in your own state. Store listings name who can use them, such as "households and businesses in California."
Do paint stores take stain and varnish?
PaintCare stores take stains, sealers and clear finishes like varnish and shellac, in labeled containers of 5 gallons or less. Ask, since some stores take less than the full list.
Does Benjamin Moore take old paint?
Benjamin Moore is sold through local dealers, and they're listed under their own store names. Search your ZIP code in PaintCare's locator and call the store.
Do stores take spray paint?
PaintCare stores don't. Take spray cans to a household hazardous waste site.
Sources
Checked October 7, 2026. Your local drop-off site’s rules come first.
PaintCare: drop-off site locator ↗PaintCare: locator site data (synced October 6, 2026) ↗PaintCare: frequently asked questions ↗PaintCare: information for retailers ↗PaintCare: products we accept ↗PaintCare: business limits ↗PaintCare: large volume pickup ↗Sherwin-Williams: PaintCare program ↗The Home Depot: paint disposal and storage ↗Lowe's: how to store and dispose of paint properly ↗EPA: household hazardous waste ↗How we research →