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Disposing of paint

The best way to get rid of unused paint is to use it up or dry it out:

  • ‘Use it up’ – offer it to friends, family or post online on at Freegle or Freecycle
  • ‘Dry it out’ – add something absorbent, like cat litter or saw dust.  Once the paint is completely dried, you can put the paint cans in your general waste bin at home. Never put liquid paint in your bin
  • Work out how much paint you need in advance to minimise waste

The local district, borough or city councils should offer a hazardous waste collection but might charge for it or specialist hazardous waste contractors found in the phone book or online.

We do not accept liquid paint at the recycling centres except on our free household hazardous waste days when we do accept certain hazardous waste items, including paint.

Empty paint cans can be placed in your bin at home or taken to the recycling centre all year round. Metal cans can be recycled.