How to Dispose of Paint in Denver (Latex, Oil & Old Cans)
Water-based (latex) paint can be dried out and thrown away. Oil-based paint is hazardous and needs a drop-off. Here’s exactly how to get rid of every kind — free options included.
Quick answer: how to get rid of paint
| Latex / water-based | Dry it out (kitty litter or paint hardener), then toss the dried paint + can in the regular trash — free. Or drop it at PaintCare, also free. |
| Oil-based / alkyd | Hazardous — never dry-and-trash it. Take it to a household hazardous waste facility or a PaintCare drop-off. |
| Empty / fully dried cans | Regular trash, or scrap-metal recycling for metal cans (lid off so it’s clearly empty). |
| A garage full, or a cleanout | We haul paint along with junk on same-day cleanouts across Denver metro. |
Step 1: Is it latex or oil-based?
Everything depends on this, so check first. The easiest tell is the cleanup instructions on the can:
- “Clean up with soap and water” → it’s latex (water-based). Most interior wall paint is latex.
- “Clean up with mineral spirits / paint thinner” → it’s oil-based (alkyd). Common in older paints, trim, and some enamels.
If the label is gone and you’re not sure, treat it as oil-based (the safer assumption) and take it to a drop-off.
How to dispose of latex (water-based) paint
Latex paint isn’t hazardous, so the goal is simply to dry it out completely — liquid paint can’t go in the trash, but solid dried paint can.
- Small amount left? Just leave the lid off and let it air-dry.
- More than an inch? Stir in kitty litter, sawdust, or a paint hardener until it firms up like putty. Denver’s low humidity dries paint much faster than most of the country — often a day or two.
- Once it’s fully solid, throw the can (lid off) in your regular trash.
Prefer to recycle it instead? Drop clean, labeled latex paint at a PaintCare location for free (details below).
How to dispose of oil-based paint
Oil-based paint, stain, and varnish are household hazardous waste. Do not dry them out, pour them down a drain, or put them in the trash. You have two free routes:
- PaintCare drop-off — accepts oil-based paint in sealed, labeled containers (see below).
- Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) — Denver-area residents can take oil-based paint, thinners, and solvents to a regional HHW facility. Check with your city or county for the nearest site and hours.
PaintCare Colorado: free paint drop-off
Colorado runs a free paint-recycling program called PaintCare, with drop-off sites at many paint and hardware stores. It’s the easiest free option for leftover paint you don’t want to dry out yourself.
✅ PaintCare accepts
- House paint & primer (latex and oil-based), stains, deck & concrete sealers, and clear finishes like varnish and shellac
- In the original, sealed container with the manufacturer label, up to 5 gallons per container
❌ PaintCare won’t take
- Leaking, unlabeled, or empty containers; aerosol/spray paint; containers over 5 gallons
- Paint thinner, solvents, motor oil, spackle, glue, adhesive, roofing tar, pesticides, or cleaning chemicals
Most sites take up to 5 gallons per visit (call ahead for larger loads). Find your nearest drop-off with the locator at paintcare.org.
What about empty paint cans?
Once a can is empty and fully dried, it’s no longer paint — it’s just a container:
- Metal cans: take the lid off and put them in scrap-metal recycling, or the regular trash.
- Plastic buckets: regular trash (most curbside recycling won’t take paint-residue plastics).
Leaving the lid off matters — it shows haulers the can is empty and safe to take.
🪣 Got a whole garage of paint, or a cleanout?
For a can or two, PaintCare or HHW is the way to go. But if you’re clearing out a garage, basement, estate, or jobsite with a pile of old paint plus other junk, that’s us. Junk Same Day hauls paint alongside the rest of your cleanout — same-day, across Denver metro, with 60%+ recycled or donated.
Paint disposal FAQ
Can you just throw away paint?
Not liquid paint. Latex (water-based) paint must be dried out completely first — then the solid paint and can go in the regular trash. Oil-based paint can never be trashed; it’s hazardous and needs a PaintCare or household hazardous waste drop-off.
How do I dispose of old paint I found in the garage?
Check the can’s cleanup instructions to tell latex from oil-based. Dry out and trash latex; take oil-based to a drop-off. If the label is missing, treat it as oil-based and drop it off to be safe. Or, if it’s part of a bigger cleanout, we’ll haul it for you.
Does latex paint really just go in the trash?
Yes — once it’s fully dried and solid. Add kitty litter or paint hardener to speed it up, then toss the can with the lid off. Liquid latex paint is not accepted in the trash.
Where can I drop off paint for free near Denver?
PaintCare has free drop-off sites at many Colorado paint and hardware stores (find them at paintcare.org). Oil-based paint and solvents can also go to a regional household hazardous waste facility.
How do I get rid of a lot of paint at once?
PaintCare sites usually cap you at 5 gallons per visit. For a large quantity — a garage or jobsite full — Junk Same Day can haul it as part of a cleanout across Denver metro. Call (720) 902-8408.
Can I dump paint down the drain or on the ground?
Never. It contaminates water and soil and is illegal for oil-based paint. Dry out latex for the trash, or drop off any paint at PaintCare/HHW.
Clearing out more than paint?
Old paint, furniture, junk, a whole garage — we haul it all, same-day, and recycle or donate 60%+.
Program rules can change — confirm what your local PaintCare site or household hazardous waste facility accepts before you go. This guide is general information, not legal advice.