How to Dispose of Leftover Paint the Right Way

You know that can of paint you bought for the hallway, but then changed your mind about? Or the collection the previous owners left behind, stacked neatly (or not so neatly) in the garage corner? It adds up fast! And before you know it, it’s on your “I’ll deal with it later” list.

We all have leftover paint taking up way too much valuable real estate in our garage or basement.

Leftover paint is one of the most common clutter culprits we see during home-organizing projects. It takes up valuable space, it’s heavy, and most of all, you’ll never use it again. So please don't keep it. You don’t have to live with it, but you do need to get rid of it the right way.

If you’ve ever wondered how to dispose of leftover paint, this blog will walk you through it step by step.

Why Proper Disposal of Paint Matters

If you’ve ever been tempted to pour old paint down the drain or toss it in the trash — please don’t. Paint can contain chemicals that pollute soil and water and harm wildlife.

I recently learned that paint is one of the top items collected through household hazardous-waste programs. No surprise there — nearly every home we organize has a paint stash. Because of the sheer quantity, the goal is to keep it out of landfills and give it a second life through recycling or reuse.

Obviously, proper disposal means less waste, fewer cleanup costs, but also way less clutter sitting in your garage or basement.

Step One: Is It Still Good?

Before you decide what to do, check a few things:

• Is it still usable? No weird smell, no hard lumps, and it mixes smoothly when stirred.

• Is it latex (water-based) or oil-based? Latex is much easier to deal with.

• Has it been stored properly? Cool, dry, sealed — no rusted lids or leaks.

  
  

If the answer is yes → donate or reuse it.

If the answer is no → dispose of it properly.

Where to Donate Your Paint

Donating good paint is the easiest win. Someone else gets value, you clear space, and the planet thanks you.

A few places to check:

• Your local Buy Nothing group 

• PaintCare drop-off sites

• Habitat for Humanity ReStores

• Some paint stores take small daily amounts

• Community art programs

  
  

Here in Portland, I’ve donated leftover paint to both my Buy Nothing group and my local Sherwin-Williams. They happily take up to 5 gallons per visit and handle it for me. For larger hauls, we drop off at the Portland Metro Transfer Stations (a.k.a. “the dump”) — they accept up to 35 gallons of hazardous waste per day.

You can plug your ZIP code into PaintCare’s Drop-Off Locator to find nearby places that accept paint.

Tips for donating:

• Make sure the lid’s tight and the can isn’t leaking.

• Only donate paint that’s still in good shape — no funky smells or dried clumps.

• Snap a photo of the color label before donating, in case you ever want to match it again.

  
  

If you think you ever need to use the paint again, snap a photo of the color label.

When Donation Isn’t an Option

If the paint’s gone bad or can’t be reused, it’s time to dispose of it safely. Here’s how:

Latex / water-based paint

• Let small amounts dry out with the lid off in a safe, ventilated spot.

• To speed things up, mix in kitty litter or sawdust until it’s solid.

• Once completely dry, check your local rules — many areas allow dried latex paint in regular household trash.

• Ask ChatGPT: “I live in [your city] — where can I drop off leftover paint?”

  
  

Oil-based paint

• This type is hazardous. Never throw it in the trash or pour it anywhere.

• Take it to your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) site

• Check PaintCare for more drop off

Dispose of Leftover Paint Checklist

Before you toss or donate:

☑ Is the paint still good?

☑ Is it latex (easy) or oil-based (hazardous)?

☑ Could someone else use it?

☑ Checked local disposal rules?

☑ Stored it properly — cool, dry, sealed?

When You’d Rather Not Deal with It Yourself

If the idea of drying out paint or driving to a drop-off site makes you want to skip the whole project altogether, you can always outsource it. Many local hauling companies will take leftover paint (along with the 47 other things that didn’t make the “keep” pile). It’s fast, efficient, and one less errand for you to juggle.

If you’re local to Portland, we always recommend Show Us Your Junk. Tony and his team are awesome—they’ve helped us with dozens of organizing projects and can haul away just about anything. From leftover paint and old shelving to full garage cleanouts, they make it easy to finally clear the space and move on.

A Little Motivation to Wrap It Up

Getting rid of old paint is one of those small projects that pays off instantly. You’ll clear shelf space, avoid sticky-lid surprises later, and keep your home (and the environment) a little cleaner.

Whether you donate a can to your neighbor, drop it off for recycling, or finally let go of those half-used gallons from your last remodel — you’re doing something good for your home and the planet.