Paint Recycling in San Francisco, CA

Residents can drop up to 5 gallons of paint at listed San Francisco hardware stores, or bring it to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 501 Tunnel Ave.

See all 4 options

Check before you go

Not yet confirmed: we couldn’t check this detail against a current source.

The PaintCare fee on new paint is $0.30 (over a half pint to under 1 gallon), $0.65 (1-2 gallons) and $1.50 (over 2 to 5 gallons), rising to $0.45, $0.95 and $1.95 on May 1, 2027. (PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab))

Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

4 ways to get rid of a paint in San Francisco

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

All 4 Free 1 Drop-off 1 Services & pickup 3

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · San FranciscoNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $70.00
How it works
Book online, set out your paint and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.
Book a pickup →
Recology SF Household Hazardous Waste FacilityDrop-off · 501 Tunnel Avenue, San FranciscoSan Francisco residentsCost not listed
Where
501 Tunnel Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94134
Hours
Thursday–Saturday, 8 am–4 pm; closed major holidays.
Cost & rules
Paint
AcceptedCost unknown
Fees aren’t recorded. Don’t assume drop-off is free.
Limit: Limit 15 gallons of paint, oil and other household chemicals.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
PaintCare California paint drop-off programNonprofit service · CaliforniaOpen to everyoneFree
How it works
Paint stewardship program overseen by CalRecycle and run by PaintCare since October 2012. PaintCare lists 822 year-round drop-off sites where households, businesses and others can leave house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings at no charge; free pickup for 100+ gallons.
Cost & rules
- House paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings (shellac, varnish) in containers of 5 gallons or less. Aerosol paint and empty cans are not part of the program.
- Free large volume pickup for 100+ gallons.
Official page (opens in new tab)
Recology SF neighborhood paint drop-off sitesPickup service · San FranciscoCost not listed
How it works
Recology lists San Francisco hardware stores where residents may drop off up to 5 gallons of paint, including Center Hardware (999 Mariposa), Cole Hardware locations, Fredericksen Hardware, Roberts Hardware and Last’s Paint Clearance Center.
Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

Note whether it’s latex (water-based) or oil-based; programs often treat them differently.
Keep paint in its original, labelled, closed container.
Ask about quantity limits per visit.

More about paint

California rules

Oil-based paint waste is hazardous and latex paint waste is presumed hazardous in California. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)
Drying out paint without a hazardous waste treatment permit is prohibited; take leftover paint, including dried paint, to a drop-off location. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)

More California rules (10)

Aerosol paint and empty paint containers are not currently part of PaintCare's program; ask your city, county or hauler. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle approved a PaintCare fee increase on October 15, 2026, effective May 1, 2027. Source: PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
The PaintCare fee on new paint is $0.30 (over a half pint to under 1 gallon), $0.65 (1-2 gallons) and $1.50 (over 2 to 5 gallons), rising to $0.45, $0.95 and $1.95 on May 1, 2027. Source: PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
Architectural paint sold in containers of five gallons or less can be dropped off at many retail and other collection sites; aerosol coatings and related products join the program by January 1, 2028 at the latest. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)
DTSC says universal wastes (batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans and PV modules) must go to a designated handler or recycler and cannot go in household trash or landfills. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab)
It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment; it must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Many HHW facilities keep set days and hours, some cap daily amounts, some only hold events once or twice a year, and many require an appointment. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Source: CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (21)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Hazardous Waste - Recology San Francisco (opens in new tab) · Recology San Francisco
- The Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 501 Tunnel Ave., San Francisco, CA 94134 is open to SF residents Thursday–Saturday, 8 am–4 pm. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Paint can be dropped off at the SF Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents may drop off up to 5 gallons of paint at listed hardware stores. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Center Hardware at 999 Mariposa is one of the listed paint drop-off sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
SF Transfer Station & Hazardous Waste Facility (opens in new tab) · Recology San Francisco
- The HHW facility is for San Francisco residents only. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- DTSC says universal wastes (batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans and PV modules) must go to a designated handler or recycler and cannot go in household trash or landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment; it must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many HHW facilities keep set days and hours, some cap daily amounts, some only hold events once or twice a year, and many require an appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- Oil-based paint waste is hazardous and latex paint waste is presumed hazardous in California. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Drying out paint without a hazardous waste treatment permit is prohibited; take leftover paint, including dried paint, to a drop-off location. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Architectural paint sold in containers of five gallons or less can be dropped off at many retail and other collection sites; aerosol coatings and related products join the program by January 1, 2028 at the latest. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Aerosol paint and empty paint containers are not currently part of PaintCare's program; ask your city, county or hauler. Checked October 26, 2026.
PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
- CalRecycle approved a PaintCare fee increase on October 15, 2026, effective May 1, 2027. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The PaintCare fee on new paint is $0.30 (over a half pint to under 1 gallon), $0.65 (1-2 gallons) and $1.50 (over 2 to 5 gallons), rising to $0.45, $0.95 and $1.95 on May 1, 2027. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · not yet confirmed.
- There is no charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare California drop-off sites are available to households, businesses, government agencies and others. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare sites accept house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare offers a free large volume pickup for 100 or more gallons of leftover architectural paint. Checked October 26, 2026.

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