Paint Recycling in Brockton, MA
Brockton residents on city trash can drop off 15 cans of liquid paint free per season (April–October) at the Recycle Depot, and take free paint from its swap shed.
See all 2 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.
Massachusetts rules
- PaintCare does not operate in Massachusetts: its states list (California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington) omits Massachusetts. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (states list) (opens in new tab)
- Massachusetts paint stewardship bill S.647 has not passed. It was reported favorably on 7/3/2025 and is "Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means". Source: Bill S.647 (194th General Court): An Act relative to paint recycling (opens in new tab)
More Massachusetts rules (23)
- The EPR Commission recommended the Legislature create a paint EPR program (e.g., PaintCare) by July 1, 2026. Source: Extended Producer Responsibility Commission Final Report (January 15, 2026) (opens in new tab)
- Per the EPR Commission report, only 23% of Massachusetts residents have access to year-round paint collection, and a third have no municipal HHW collection. Source: Extended Producer Responsibility Commission Final Report (January 15, 2026) (opens in new tab)
- Latex paint may go in the regular trash only when completely dry: it must not leak when turned upside down. Kitty litter or cardboard pieces speed drying. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
- Wet paint should not go in the trash because it clogs and can break trash compaction equipment. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
- Beyond the Bin lists some latex paint drop-off spots. Residents should check whether their town collects latex paint at HHW days. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
- House paint recycling bill H.886 has not passed. Its status is "Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means". Source: Bill H.886 (194th General Court): An Act relative to paint recycling (opens in new tab)
- Oil-based paint, stains and varnishes go to household hazardous waste collections. Check your municipality's website for events. Source: Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Beyond the Bin Search Directory (opens in new tab)
- MassDEP introduced its first bans on landfilling and combustion of easy-to-recycle and toxic materials in 1990 and has phased in more since. Source: MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab)
- Materials banned from disposal or transfer for disposal in Massachusetts include cathode ray tubes, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, lead acid batteries, mattresses, recyclable paper and cardboard, textiles, white goods and whole tires (landfills only). Source: MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab)
- The MassDEP waste disposal bans are in section 19.017 of the Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations, 310 CMR 19.000. Source: MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab)
- 310 CMR 19.017(3): no person may dispose, transfer for disposal, or contract for disposal or transport of a restricted material except as the regulation allows, and violators may face MassDEP enforcement. Source: 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab)
- No landfill, transfer facility or combustion facility may accept a restricted material except to handle, recycle or compost it under a MassDEP-approved plan. Source: 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab)
- For residents, most banned materials are collected through regular municipal collection or drop-off programs, while larger items such as CRTs or appliances may go through separate collections or drop-off events. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
- MassDEP notes that vehicle batteries, tires and cathode ray tubes may in some cases be collected by retailers. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
- Residents with private (non-municipal) trash collection should ask their service provider for recycling options. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
- MassDEP generally does not issue waste-ban enforcement to individuals; it typically targets businesses, institutions (including municipalities) and haulers. Source: MassDEP: Waste Ban on Mattresses and Textiles, Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab)
- For local recycling and household hazardous product collection days and hours, MassDEP tells residents to contact their community's recycling or solid waste coordinator or department. Source: Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle (opens in new tab)
- MassDEP's Beyond the Bin directory lists outlets for items that can't go in the home recycling bin. MassDEP does not collect materials itself, listings are self-reported, and you should call ahead. Source: Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Beyond the Bin Search Directory (opens in new tab)
- Since November 2022, textiles (clothing, footwear, bedding, curtains, fabric) are banned from disposal in Massachusetts, even worn, torn or stained items. Source: MassDEP: Clothing and Textile Recovery (opens in new tab)
- Pillows, cushions and rugs are not "textiles" under the ban and may go in the trash. Source: MassDEP: Waste Ban on Mattresses and Textiles, Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab)
- Household hazardous products (old chemicals, cleaners, paint, pesticides) don't belong in the recycling bin, the trash or the drain. Store them until a community HHW collection or take them to a local, regional or commercial facility. Source: Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle (opens in new tab)
- MassDEP lists approved household hazardous product collection facilities. Call or check each facility's website for items, fees and hours. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
- Questions about household hazardous products can go to MassDEP at 866-963-7287 or massdep.hhp@mass.gov. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (30)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- City of Brockton 2025-2026 Recycling & Trash Guidelines (PDF) (opens in new tab) · City of Brockton Department of Public Works
- Proof of residency may be required at the Recycling Drop-Off Center. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Brockton Recycle Depot: items accepted and drop-off price list (PDF) (opens in new tab) · City of Brockton Department of Public Works
- Price list effective 8/1/2024 (residents on city trash vs. businesses/non-residents): appliances $0 for residents, washer/dryer $20 for non-residents; Freon appliances $0 for residents, $30 for non-residents; car tires $2 for residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Liquid latex and oil paints are accepted April 1–October 31; residents on city trash get 15 one-gallon cans per season free, then $5 each; businesses and residents not paying the trash fee pay $8 per can. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Paint and chemicals are accepted April 1 through October 31. Checked October 26, 2026.
- A paint swap shed lets Brockton residents and businesses take paint for free. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- MassDEP introduced its first bans on landfilling and combustion of easy-to-recycle and toxic materials in 1990 and has phased in more since. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Materials banned from disposal or transfer for disposal in Massachusetts include cathode ray tubes, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, lead acid batteries, mattresses, recyclable paper and cardboard, textiles, white goods and whole tires (landfills only). Checked October 26, 2026.
- The MassDEP waste disposal bans are in section 19.017 of the Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations, 310 CMR 19.000. Checked October 26, 2026.
- 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- 310 CMR 19.017(3): no person may dispose, transfer for disposal, or contract for disposal or transport of a restricted material except as the regulation allows, and violators may face MassDEP enforcement. Checked October 26, 2026.
- No landfill, transfer facility or combustion facility may accept a restricted material except to handle, recycle or compost it under a MassDEP-approved plan. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- For residents, most banned materials are collected through regular municipal collection or drop-off programs, while larger items such as CRTs or appliances may go through separate collections or drop-off events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP notes that vehicle batteries, tires and cathode ray tubes may in some cases be collected by retailers. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents with private (non-municipal) trash collection should ask their service provider for recycling options. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP: Waste Ban on Mattresses and Textiles, Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- MassDEP generally does not issue waste-ban enforcement to individuals; it typically targets businesses, institutions (including municipalities) and haulers. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Pillows, cushions and rugs are not "textiles" under the ban and may go in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- For local recycling and household hazardous product collection days and hours, MassDEP tells residents to contact their community's recycling or solid waste coordinator or department. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Household hazardous products (old chemicals, cleaners, paint, pesticides) don't belong in the recycling bin, the trash or the drain. Store them until a community HHW collection or take them to a local, regional or commercial facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Beyond the Bin Search Directory (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- MassDEP's Beyond the Bin directory lists outlets for items that can't go in the home recycling bin. MassDEP does not collect materials itself, listings are self-reported, and you should call ahead. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oil-based paint, stains and varnishes go to household hazardous waste collections. Check your municipality's website for events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP: Clothing and Textile Recovery (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- Since November 2022, textiles (clothing, footwear, bedding, curtains, fabric) are banned from disposal in Massachusetts, even worn, torn or stained items. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (states list) (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
- PaintCare does not operate in Massachusetts: its states list (California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington) omits Massachusetts. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Bill S.647 (194th General Court): An Act relative to paint recycling (opens in new tab) · The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Massachusetts paint stewardship bill S.647 has not passed. It was reported favorably on 7/3/2025 and is "Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means". Checked October 26, 2026.
- Bill H.886 (194th General Court): An Act relative to paint recycling (opens in new tab) · The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- House paint recycling bill H.886 has not passed. Its status is "Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means". Checked October 26, 2026.
- Extended Producer Responsibility Commission Final Report (January 15, 2026) (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- The EPR Commission recommended the Legislature create a paint EPR program (e.g., PaintCare) by July 1, 2026. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Per the EPR Commission report, only 23% of Massachusetts residents have access to year-round paint collection, and a third have no municipal HHW collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- Latex paint may go in the regular trash only when completely dry: it must not leak when turned upside down. Kitty litter or cardboard pieces speed drying. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Wet paint should not go in the trash because it clogs and can break trash compaction equipment. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Beyond the Bin lists some latex paint drop-off spots. Residents should check whether their town collects latex paint at HHW days. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP lists approved household hazardous product collection facilities. Call or check each facility's website for items, fees and hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Questions about household hazardous products can go to MassDEP at 866-963-7287 or massdep.hhp@mass.gov. 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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