Paint Recycling in Santa Barbara, CA
Residents can drop paint free at MarBorg's Santa Barbara Recycle Facility, the County's HHW center at UCSB (weekends) or a City HHW event; four downtown paint stores take paint through PaintCare.
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Not yet confirmed: we couldn’t check these details against a current source.
- The City table marks household batteries and all types of paint as accepted at the Community Hazardous Waste center at UCSB. (How to Dispose of Everything (City of Santa Barbara Sustainability & Resilience) (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. (PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab))
Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
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.
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 (36)
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 Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center at USCB EH&S Bldg - 565 Mesa Rd, Santa Barbara 93106 as a paint drop-off site (HHW and VSQG Businesses in Santa Barbara County - Unincorporated Areas Goleta Solvang Santa Barbara). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Dunn-Edwards at 233 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara 93101 as a paint drop-off site (Households and Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Sherwin-Williams at 617 Chapala St, Santa Barbara 93101 as a paint drop-off site (Households and Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Vista Paint at 516 E Gutierrez St, Santa Barbara 93103 as a paint drop-off site (Households and Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Santa Barbara Paint Depot at 526 Laguna St, Santa Barbara 93101 as a paint drop-off site (Households and Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Santa Maria Landfill and HHW Facility at 2065 E Main St, Santa Maria 93454 as a paint drop-off site (Households and VSQG Businesses in Santa Barbara County San Luis Obispo County Santa Maria). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Santa Maria Recycle Center at 1850 W Betteravia Rd, Santa Maria 93455 as a paint drop-off site (Households and VSQG Businesses in Santa Barbara County). Checked October 26, 2026.
- Santa Barbara Recycling Center (MarBorg Industries) (opens in new tab) · MarBorg Industries
- Free drop-off at the Santa Barbara Recycle Facility includes scrap metals and cardboard. Checked October 26, 2026.
- E-waste (computers, monitors and anything with a cord), batteries and oil- and water-based paint are free for residential customers only. Checked October 26, 2026.
- County Waste Facilities (LessIsMore.org, County of Santa Barbara) (opens in new tab) · County of Santa Barbara Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division
- Residents must show proof of residency (driver's license, utility bill or car registration). Checked October 26, 2026.
- How to Dispose of Everything (City of Santa Barbara Sustainability & Resilience) (opens in new tab) · City of Santa Barbara
- The City of Santa Barbara says the HHW drop-off facilities it lists, including the Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center at UCSB, are free to residents unless otherwise indicated. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The City table marks household batteries and all types of paint as accepted at the Community Hazardous Waste center at UCSB. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · not yet confirmed.
- City of Santa Barbara HHW Collection Events (MarBorg Industries) (opens in new tab) · MarBorg Industries
- The City of Santa Barbara, MarBorg and Clean Harbors offer free HHW collection events for City residents throughout the year. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Events accept household and auto batteries, computers and other e-waste, and latex and oil-based paints. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Events are at La Playa Stadium Parking Lot (2-C), Santa Barbara City College, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.: Nov 14, 2026; Mar 6, 2027; Jun 12, 2027. Checked October 26, 2026.
- City of Santa Maria Household Hazardous Waste Facility (LessIsMore.org location page) (opens in new tab) · County of Santa Barbara Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division
- The City of Santa Maria HHW Facility at 2065 East Main Street is open to households Wednesdays 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The Santa Maria HHW Facility accepts household and vehicle batteries and oil-based and latex paint, among other hazardous wastes. 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.
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