Paint Recycling in Vista, CA

The North County Regional HHW facility on East Taylor Street (Saturdays) and Vista Paint on Sycamore Ave take paint free through PaintCare.

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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

6 ways to get rid of a paint in Vista

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

All 6 Free 5 Drop-off 3 Services & pickup 3

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · VistaNo 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 →
North County Regional HHW Collection Facility (Vista)Drop-off · 1145 E Taylor St, VistaFree
Where
1145 E Taylor St
Vista, CA 92084
Hours
Not listed. Call before you go.
Cost & rules
Paint
AcceptedFree (documented)
Limit: Limit: 15 gallons per visit.
Full details & sources
Vista Paint (611 Sycamore Ave, Vista)Drop-off · 611 Sycamore Ave, VistaOpen to everyoneFree
Where
611 Sycamore Ave
Vista, CA 92083
Hours
Not listed. Call before you go.
Cost & rules
Paint
AcceptedFree (documented)
Limit: Limit: 20 gallons per visit.
Full details & sources
Vista Paint (1220 N Magnolia Ave, El Cajon)County service · San Diego CountyOpen to everyoneFree
How it works
Vista Paint site at 1220 N Magnolia Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020 (Bostonia CDP, unincorporated San Diego County).
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)
South Bay Regional HHW Facility (Chula Vista)Drop-off · outside Vista · 1800 Maxwell Rd, Chula VistaSan Diego County residentsFree
Where
1800 Maxwell Rd
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Hours
Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost & rules
Paint
AcceptedFree (documented)
Limit: Limit: 15 gallons per visit.
Full details & sources

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 (25)

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. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare sites accept house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Checked October 26, 2026.
County of San Diego: HHW Collection Facilities (opens in new tab) · County of San Diego DPW
- City of Chula Vista residents need no appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
PaintCare drop-off site locator data (sites.json) (opens in new tab) · PaintCare
- PaintCare lists South Bay Regional HHW Facility at 1800 Maxwell Rd, Chula Vista 91911 as a paint drop-off site (limit: 15 gallons per visit). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists City of Vista Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 1145 E Taylor St, Vista 92084 as a paint drop-off site (limit: 15 gallons per visit). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Vista Paint at 611 Sycamore Ave, Vista 92083 as a paint drop-off site (limit: 20 gallons per visit). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Vista Paint at 1220 N Magnolia Ave, El Cajon 92020 as a paint drop-off site (limit: 20 gallons per visit). Checked October 26, 2026.
EDCO City of Vista: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · EDCO
- Household hazardous waste accepted includes auto batteries, latex and oil-based paint, and electronic waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
- All residents may use the North County Regional HHW facility at 1145 East Taylor Street, Vista, open Saturdays (except holiday weekends) 9 a.m.–3 p.m. 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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