So, you’ve finally had your exterior or interior areas painted and it’s come out so well. But as luck would have it, you’ve got some paint leftovers. If you’re wondering how you can dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way, here are some paint recycling centers where you can drop off your leftover paint.
1. Marin Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Address: 565 Jacoby Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Schedules: Residential Drop-off: Tues – Sat 8:00am- 3:30pm | Closed Sunday & Monday / Commercial Drop-off (Fees Apply): Tues – Wed 8:00am- 3:00pm, By appointment only | Call 415-456-2665
Phone: (415) 485-6806
Holiday Closures: 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, News Year’s Day
Accepts:
- Paint in containers of up to 5 gallons
- Deck coating
- Primers
- Sealers
- Stains
- Shellac,
- Lacquers,
- Varnishes,
- urethanes,
- rust preventatives and
- waterproofing sealers
Does not accept
- aerosol sprays,
- paint thinners,
- auto and marine paints,
- art and craft paints,
- caulking compounds,
- wood preservatives or roof patch and repair material
The Marin Household Hazardous Waste Facility is just 1 of 4 paint recycling centers in Marin. While it’s free for residential and some small businesses, commercial businesses will need to schedule for an appointment before sending their paint for recycling.
Since this paint recycling inititiative started in 2014, Marin has saved at least $290,493 in savings in terms of processing fees and transportation costs which used to be shouldered by municipalities for disposing of hazardous leftover paint.
In case you’re wondering what happens to the paints left in the paint recycling center, premium ones which can still be used are given away for free while the others are processed again by mixing it to produce white, beige, or gray colors. These reprocessed paints are then used in covering up unsightly graffiti in and around the county.
2. Novato Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Address: 7576 Redwood Blvd. Novato, CA 94945
Schedule: Accepts drop-offs of household waste between 8:30-1:30; 1st & 3rd Sundays & Mondays
Phone: (415) 892-1694
Holiday Closures: None
Accepts:
- Aerosols – all kinds
- Auto Products – polishes, antifreeze
- Asbestos in small amounts, double-bagged
- Batteries – all kinds
- Building products, sealers, caulking, glues
- Cosmetics, nail polish
- CRT’s (TV’s or computer monitors – up to 5)
- Fluorescent ballasts (without fixtures)
- Fluorescent tubes & bulbs
- Fuels – gasoline, kerosene, butane, lamp oil
- Household cleaners, polishes, disinfectants
- Motor oil & oil filters
- Paints (oil base & latex), stains, solvents
- Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers
- Pool & photo chemicals
- Pet products
- Spray paints
- Small propane tanks & fire extinguishers
- Sharps (in approved containers only)
- Televisions
- Thermometers & thermostats
Does not accept:
- Explosives or ammunition – Call local police
- Asbestos in large amounts – maximum amount Novato accepts is up to two 30 gallon-size trash bags of asbestos
- Radioactive waste
- Medical or biological wastes. Call the County Health Department
- Business or commercial waste. Call the Novato Business Hotline at (415) 892-6395
- Bring old prescription medications to the Novato Police Department
- LARGE Appliances – Washers, dryers, etc – call Recology at (800) 243-0291 for pick-up
If your paints can’t be accepted by Marin Household Hazardous Facility, Novato will most likely be able to accept them. They’re also open all days of the year, however, residents can only drop off their household waste during specific times. The facility is also requiring appointments during COVID-19 so please contact them first before dropping off your paints for recycling.
3. Dunn-Edwards Paint
Address: 717 Francisco Blvd. East, San Rafael, CA 94901
Store hours: 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Phone: (415) 259-0302
Email: SanRafael@DunnEdwards.com
4. Tamalpais Paint & Color
Address: 5784 Paradise Dr., Corte Madera, CA 94925
Store hours: May be affected by COVID-19 guidelines, please call for information
Phone:(415) 924-7321
5. Fairfax Lumber Company
Address: 109 Broadway Blvd., Fairfax, CA 94930
Store hours: Mon – Fri 7:30am – 6:00pm | Sat-Sun 8:30am – 5:00pm
Phone: (415) 453-4410
Fax: (415) 453-6255
Email: mail@fairfaxlumber.com
Due to COVID-19, paint stores such as Dunn-Edwards, Tamalpais and Fairfax Lumber Company which also act as paint recycling centers’ drop-off points may not be able to temporarily accept paints for recycling so it’s better to contact them first before going to their stores with your old paints. Make sure to also check with them whether they accept your paint type.