Paint Recycling in San Ramon, CA

San Ramon residents can drop paint free at the Central San HHW facility in Martinez (Mon–Sat 7 am–2 pm) or book Clean Harbors’ doorstep pickup.

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 Ramon

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

All 4 Free 2

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · San RamonNo 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 →
Central San Household Hazardous Waste Collection FacilityCounty service · Contra Costa CountySan Ramon residentsFree
How it works
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District site at 4797 Imhoff Place, Martinez, CA 94553 (unincorporated Contra Costa County). Hours: Residents: Monday–Saturday, 7 am–2 pm (no appointment). Businesses by appointment.
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)
San Ramon door-to-door household hazardous waste collection (Clean Harbors)City service · San RamonSan Ramon residentsCost not listed
How it works
Appointment-only doorstep pickup of household batteries, chemicals, paint, e-waste and fluorescent lamps for San Ramon residents (or property managers for tenants). Call 1-800-433-5060; a collection kit is mailed; containers up to 5 gallons.
Cost & rules
- By appointment; use the collection bag in the mailed kit.
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 (24)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility - Central San (opens in new tab) · Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
- Residents drop off household hazardous waste at no charge, no appointment needed. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Eligible communities: Alamo, Blackhawk, Clayton, Concord, Clyde, Danville, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek and other Central County areas in the Central San service area. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Small businesses must book an appointment and pay a small fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
Hazardous wastes accepted at the HHW Collection Facility (Central San) (opens in new tab) · Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
- Paints are on the facility’s accepted list. Checked October 26, 2026.
Hazardous/Electronic Waste - City of San Ramon (opens in new tab) · City of San Ramon
- Clean Harbors is contracted by the city for appointment-only doorstep removal of batteries, chemicals, paints, e-waste and fluorescent lamps. Checked October 26, 2026.
- San Ramon residents or property managers call 1-800-433-5060 to book. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The city says household hazardous waste from central Contra Costa homes is accepted at no charge at the Central San facility, 4797 Imhoff Place, Martinez. Checked October 26, 2026.
Door to Door Collection Services - ACI of San Ramon (opens in new tab) · Alameda County Industries (ACI) San Ramon
- Maximum container size is 5 gallons. 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