No stand-alone paint recycling events are scheduled at this time – paint will be accepted during HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE Events (click for details).
How is Paint Recycled?
There are many ways that paint can be recycled. Most often, the highest quality latex paint is sorted out and turned back into recycled paint! Recycled paint is environmentally preferable to new paint, while still maintaining comparable quality. In many cases, reusable paints of the same color are pumped into a tank where the material is mixed and tested. The paint is adjusted with additives and colorants as necessary. Finally, the paint is fine-filtered and packaged for sale.
Paint that cannot be reused has other environmentally friendly applications – like being turned into a cement additive for manufacturing. 100% of the original paint can be recycled!
Recycling one gallon of paint could save 13 gallons of water, 1 quart of oil, and 250,000 gallons of water pollution, 13.74 pounds of CO2, save enough energy to power the average home for 3 hours, or cook 6 meals in a microwave oven, or blow dry someone’s hair 27 times.
Paint Recycling FAQ
This information comes from Atlanta Paint Disposal – recycling vendor for Keep Carroll Beautiful events.
I have liquid paint, do you accept liquid paint?
Yes, as long as it has not been mixed with anything and is standard house paint. We do not accept paint with lead or mercury.
What if my paint is dry?
Generally you can treat dried paint as you would your household garbage. Be sure to contact your trash company for specific requirements as some companies have you remove the lid to prove that all paint is dry.
Can I put my paint in the trash can?
If it contains any liquid, no. If it is dry contact your garbage company for specific requirements.
Can I mix all my paint in one big bucket for you?
No, we cannot accept paint once it has been mixed with anything including other paint.
Paint should be in the original container and should not be mixed with anything including other paint. All prices are based on the original container size and not the liquid volume in the container. Leaking containers and mixed paint will be rejected.
For more info on the paint recycling process – please visit Atlanta Paint Recycling.
Paint Recycling at Keep Carroll Beautiful
Paint Recycling Events
Keep Carroll Beautiful offers Paint Recycling Events when funding is available. Those events are typically held together with Hazardous Household Waste, Tired of Tires, and/or Paper Shredding Events.
The Paint Recycling Event is an “amnesty” type program, where residential-grade paint is collected free of charge. There may be a limit on the number of cans/gallons accepted per household but any overage can still be recycled for a fee. The fee schedule will be posted with a specific event, but in general, the cost to recycle paint is $5 per gallon can.
We do not currently have a Paint Recycling Event scheduled for 2020. Please follow us on social media for any future announcements.
In-Office – Paint Collection Program
Keep Carroll Beautiful no longer accepts paint at the office. Recycling paint requires ample storage and comes with a fee (see fee table). The new paint drop off location in Carrollton – Ace Hardware (see below), is open 7 days a week and offers extended business hours. They are also better prepared to charge fees and store the paint.
All paint recycling rules still apply:
- There is a fee to recycle paint.
- Do not pour different paints into one container – mixed paint cannot be recycled.
- Paint containers cannot be damaged or leaking.
| Latex Paint | |
| 5 Gallon | $ 25.00 |
| 1 Gallon | $ 5 .00 |
| 1 Quart | $ 2 .00 |
| 1 Pint | $ 2.00 |
| Oil/Solvent Based | |
| 5 Gallon | $ 25.00 |
| 1 Gallon | $ 5.00 |
| 1 Quart | $ 2.00 |
| 1 Pint | $ 2.00 |
| Spray Can | $ 2.00 |
PLEASE do not leave paint at KCB Office.
Paint Recycling at other locations
ACE Hardware/Southern Home and Ranch
- Location: 1110 N Park St, Carrollton, GA 30117
- Call 770-832-0114, or visit their Facebook Page for hours of operation.
- ACE Hardware/Southern Home and Ranch accepts paint for recycling through the Atlanta Paint Disposal program and charges a fee (see the fee table).
CHARM – Center for Hard to Recycle Materials
- Location: 1110 Hill Street SE, Atlanta, GA, 30315
- Please call 404-600-6386 for more information and hours of operation.
- Please check Charm’s website: livethrive.org for current opening time.
- Charm recycles “latex and oil base (first twenty-five pounds are free each additional pound is $.25.)”.