Paint

Latex Paint:

Latex paint will not be accepted at Household Chemical Waste collections. It can be disposed of at home because it does not contain toxic material.

The easiest way to dispose of paint is to use it up completely. Apply a second coat to your project or use it up on a piece of old cardboard or scrap wood. Let the can dry out and dispose of it in your regular garbage. If this isn’t an option, continue reading for further instructions.

You can add shredded newspapers, kitty litter or Waste Paint Hardener (available at most hardware stores) to your latex paint. Let the paint dry out completely. This should be done in a well-ventilated area and away from children and pets. After the paint has dried, put the container in your garbage with the lid off so the garbage hauler knows the can is empty.

Many local theatre groups, churches and housing authorities will accept leftover paint and put it to good use. If you have a significant amount of paint that is usable, contact the following:

Construction Material Depot/The Rebuilding Exchange
3335 W 47^th St, Chicago
(773) 818-8025
cmdepot.com
A bulletin board for buying and selling excess construction material, tools and equipment. Site also lists locations of  “reuse” stores for donating materials to benefit Habitat for Humanity. All donations must be pre-approved. Call or email for donation guidelines.


Habitat for Humanity
(800) 643-7845
If your paint is not usable and you are unable to dry it out yourself, you may take your latex paint in its original container to:


Hardware Stores 
If your paint is not usable and you are unable to dry it out yourself, the hardware stores listed below recycle latex paint for a fee:

•Craftwood Lumber and Hardware
1590 Old Deerfield Rd, Highland Park
(847) 831-2800

•Millen Do It Best
1219 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette
(847) 251-3060

•Palatine Ace Hardware
239 E Northwest Hwy, Palatine
(847) 358-8100

•Schaumburg Ace Hardware
560 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg
(847) 895-9292

•Sherwin Ace Hardware
1705 W Campbell, Arlington Heights
(847) 255-3113

•Skokie Ace Hardware
5035 Oakton Street
(847) 724-3444

•Weiss Ace Hardware
1560 Waukegan Rd, Glenview
(847) 724-3444

The following website lists additional locations to recycle latex paint and cans.

Earth Paints Collection Systems
(847) 231-6044
earthpaintscs.com


Oil Paint:

Chicago's Permanent Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility
1150 N Branch St, Chicago
Operated by the City of Chicago and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).  Call (312) 744-7606 for more information.
cityofchicago.org
Tuesdays: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thursdays: 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
1st Saturday of month: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

Residential waste only (no business or commercial sector waste).
Accepts oil-based paints, aerosol paints and paint thinners. Also accepts solvents (mineral spirits, stains, paint strippers, preservatives and sealers). This facility accepts many additional items for recycling. See site for details.


Learn about Household Chemical Waste disposal