Paint Recycling in Hammond, IN
Hammond's Sanitation Department picks up water-based paint with the garbage once it is completely dried out; oil-based paint is banned from city carts and goes to Lake County Solid Waste Management District hazardous waste collections (oil-based only).
See all 3 optionsChecked 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.
Indiana rules
- IDEM: never pour paint down the drain or put it in the trash unless completely dry; use up good paint, give it to theater or community groups, or use a paint exchange. Source: IDEM: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab)
- IDEM: check with your local HHW program for a paint exchange or other disposal options; with no local program, dried-out paint can go in regular garbage (cat litter speeds drying). Source: IDEM: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab)
More Indiana rules (11)
- PaintCare runs paint recycling programs only in states with paint stewardship laws. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare's state list (California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington) does not include Indiana: there is no PaintCare program in Indiana. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
- A solid waste management district is the county's local authority for recycling, yard waste and household hazardous waste services, and runs recycling and HHW collection events. Source: IDEM Recycle Indiana: Solid Waste Management Districts (opens in new tab)
- Districts conduct recycling and household hazardous waste collection events and outreach. Source: IDEM Recycle Indiana: Solid Waste Management Districts (opens in new tab)
- Under Public Law 10-1990, every Indiana county except Marion was to have its own district or join a multi-county district. Source: IDEM Recycle Indiana: Solid Waste Management Districts (opens in new tab)
- The Association of Indiana Solid Waste Management Districts (AISWMD) offers a Find Your District tool and a district map. Source: IDEM Recycle Indiana: Solid Waste Management Districts (opens in new tab)
- IDEM says solid waste management districts are the county authority for recycling, yard waste and household hazardous waste services, and to confirm program availability and hours with district staff. Source: IDEM Recycle Indiana: Where to Recycle (opens in new tab)
- IDEM: contact your local solid waste management district for HHW disposal; districts may offer daily collection or special events. Source: IDEM: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab)
- Marion County has no solid waste management district; residents find HHW drop-off sites on Indy.gov. Source: IDEM: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab)
- Open dumping or open burning of solid waste is illegal in Indiana. Source: IDEM: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab)
- Many oil change and automotive service centers accept used motor oil; HHW programs and recycling sites also accept used oil, filters and antifreeze. Source: IDEM: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (21)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Lake County Solid Waste Management District
- The district holds monthly HHW collection events around Lake County from March through October; 2026 stops included Crown Point (Mar 21), Gary (May 30) and Hammond (Sep 12). Checked October 26, 2026.
- Collection events are only for residents of Lake County, IN. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oil-based paint is accepted; latex paint is not. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Sanitation Department (opens in new tab) · City of Hammond
- Hammond says some banned cart items can only go to Lake County Solid Waste hazardous waste drop-offs between April and October. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Water-based paint must be dried (no liquid) before the city will pick it up; leave the lid off or add sand or kitty litter. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Put the dried paint on the ground next to the garbage can; the Sanitation Department picks it up with the garbage. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oil-based paint is on Hammond's list of items banned from city garbage carts. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Businesses and buildings with three or more apartments must use private dumpster service instead of city pickup. Checked October 26, 2026.
- IDEM Recycle Indiana: Solid Waste Management Districts (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
- A solid waste management district is the county's local authority for recycling, yard waste and household hazardous waste services, and runs recycling and HHW collection events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Districts conduct recycling and household hazardous waste collection events and outreach. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Under Public Law 10-1990, every Indiana county except Marion was to have its own district or join a multi-county district. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The Association of Indiana Solid Waste Management Districts (AISWMD) offers a Find Your District tool and a district map. Checked October 26, 2026.
- IDEM Recycle Indiana: Where to Recycle (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
- IDEM says solid waste management districts are the county authority for recycling, yard waste and household hazardous waste services, and to confirm program availability and hours with district staff. Checked October 26, 2026.
- IDEM: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab) · Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
- IDEM: contact your local solid waste management district for HHW disposal; districts may offer daily collection or special events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Marion County has no solid waste management district; residents find HHW drop-off sites on Indy.gov. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Open dumping or open burning of solid waste is illegal in Indiana. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many oil change and automotive service centers accept used motor oil; HHW programs and recycling sites also accept used oil, filters and antifreeze. Checked October 26, 2026.
- IDEM: never pour paint down the drain or put it in the trash unless completely dry; use up good paint, give it to theater or community groups, or use a paint exchange. Checked October 26, 2026.
- IDEM: check with your local HHW program for a paint exchange or other disposal options; with no local program, dried-out paint can go in regular garbage (cat litter speeds drying). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
- PaintCare's state list (California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington) does not include Indiana: there is no PaintCare program in Indiana. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare runs paint recycling programs only in states with paint stewardship laws. 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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