Paint Recycling in San Luis Obispo, CA

Paint is free for SLO County residents at the Cold Canyon Landfill HHW facility, and PaintCare sites in town include the Habitat ReStore on Broad St and four paint and hardware stores.

See all 8 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

8 ways to get rid of a paint in San Luis Obispo

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

All 8 Free 7 Drop-off 5 Services & pickup 3

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · San Luis ObispoNo 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 →
Habitat for Humanity ReStore San Luis ObispoDrop-off · 2790 Broad St, San Luis ObispoOpen to everyoneFree
Where
2790 Broad St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Hours
Not listed. Call before you go.
Cost & rules
Paint
AcceptedFree (documented)
Full details & sources
Miners Ace Hardware (San Luis Obispo)Drop-off · 2034 Santa Barbara Rd, San Luis ObispoOpen to everyoneConditions applyFree
Where
2034 Santa Barbara Rd
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Hours
Not listed. Call before you go.
Cost & rules
Paint
Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
Latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons; no aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers.
Full details & sources
Sherwin-Williams (San Luis Obispo)Drop-off · 3281 S Higuera St, San Luis ObispoOpen to everyoneConditions applyFree
Where
3281 S Higuera St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Hours
Not listed. Call before you go.
Cost & rules
Paint
Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
Latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons; no aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers.
Full details & sources
Home Depot (San Luis Obispo)Drop-off · 1551 Froom Ranch Way, San Luis ObispoOpen to everyoneConditions applyFree
Where
1551 Froom Ranch Way
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Hours
Not listed. Call before you go.
Cost & rules
Paint
Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
Latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons; no aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers.
Full details & sources
Dunn-Edwards (San Luis Obispo)Drop-off · 205 Higuera St, San Luis ObispoOpen to everyoneConditions applyFree
Where
205 Higuera St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Hours
Not listed. Call before you go.
Cost & rules
Paint
Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
Latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons; no aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers.
Full details & sources
Cold Canyon Landfill Household Hazardous Waste, E-Waste and Mattress Drop-Off (SLO County IWMA)County service · San Luis Obispo CountySan Luis Obispo County residentsFree
How it works
IWMA household hazardous waste and e-waste drop-off at Cold Canyon Landfill, 2268 Carpenter Canyon Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8 a.m.–3 p.m.; (805) 549-8332. Free for SLO County residents up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit. The landfill also takes mattresses and box springs free (up to three per resident); a safety vest is required for e-waste drop-off.
Official page (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)

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 (26)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

PaintCare: California (opens in new tab) · PaintCare
- PaintCare does not charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site in California. 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 drop-off site locator data (sites.json) (opens in new tab) · PaintCare
- PaintCare retail sites accept latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons, but not aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Habitat ReStore San Luis Obispo County at 2790 Broad St, San Luis Obispo 93401 as a paint drop-off site (Households and VSQG Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Miners Ace Hardware at 2034 Santa Barbara Rd, San Luis Obispo 93401 as a paint drop-off site (Households and Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Sherwin-Williams at 3281 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo 93401 as a paint drop-off site (Households and Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Home Depot at 1551 Froom Ranch Way, San Luis Obispo 93405 as a paint drop-off site (Households and Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Dunn-Edwards at 205 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo 93401 as a paint drop-off site (Households and Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
Residential Hazardous Waste Disposal (SLO County IWMA) (opens in new tab) · San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority
- SLO County residents may drop off up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste per visit at no cost; HHW and e-waste are accepted for residential drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
Hazardous Waste: accepted waste streams (SLO County IWMA) (opens in new tab) · San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority
- Accepted universal waste includes batteries and paint; e-waste includes computers, TVs and microwaves. 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.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.

How we check our information