Paint Recycling in Santa Clara, CA

Paint is hazardous waste in Santa Clara: book a free Santa Clara County HHW drop-off appointment.

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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

3 ways to get rid of a paint in Santa Clara

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · Santa ClaraNo 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 →
Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste ProgramCounty service · Santa Clara CountyFree
How it works
Free household hazardous waste drop-off by appointment at county sites (including the permanent San José facility at the Environmental Innovation Center); the drop-off address is given after booking. Call (408) 299-7300.
Cost & rules
- Appointment required; address provided after booking.
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 (20)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Household Hazardous Waste Operating Schedule (opens in new tab) · County of Santa Clara
- An appointment is required and the drop-off address is provided after booking. Checked October 26, 2026.
Household Hazardous Waste | City of San José (opens in new tab) · City of San José
- All HHW can be disposed of for free by appointment or at a take-back location. Checked October 26, 2026.
- HHW includes batteries, paint, household cleaners and propane tanks. Checked October 26, 2026.
Annual Cleanup Campaign | City of Santa Clara (opens in new tab) · City of Santa Clara
- Santa Clara refers residents to the County HHW Program (408-299-7300) for a free drop-off appointment. 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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