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Paint Recycling in Cambridge, MA

Cambridge takes oil-based and latex paint at its four yearly HHW days at 50 Mooney St.; dried latex paint can go out with trash, lids off.

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Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

2 ways to get rid of a paint in Cambridge

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

  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · CambridgeNo 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 →

  2. Cambridge Household Hazardous Waste Collection DaysCity service · CambridgeCambridge residentsCost not listed
    How it works

    Four HHW collection days each year at 50 Mooney St. (2026: April 11, June 9, August 29 and Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.). Cambridge residents only, with proof of residency. Accepts vehicle, lithium-ion and alkaline batteries, car fluids, car tires (four per household), chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, mercury items, oil-based and latex paint, pesticides, propane cylinders up to 20 lb, waste fuels and fire extinguishers.

    Cost & rules
    • Cambridge residents only, with proof of residency; four collection days a year.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

Places that don’t take paint (1)

Before you go

  1. Note whether it’s latex (water-based) or oil-based; programs often treat them differently.
  2. Keep paint in its original, labelled, closed container.
  3. Ask about quantity limits per visit.
More about paint

Massachusetts rules

More Massachusetts rules (23)
Where this information comes from (30)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • City of Cambridge: Recycling Center (opens in new tab) · City of Cambridge Department of Public Works
    • The Recycling Center does not take paints (oil-based or latex), propane tanks or chemicals. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The Recycle Center is open to Cambridge residents and to Cambridge small businesses and nonprofits with 50 or fewer employees. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • City of Cambridge: Household Hazardous Waste Disposal (opens in new tab) · City of Cambridge Department of Public Works
    • Cambridge holds four HHW collection days a year at 50 Mooney St., for Cambridge residents only with proof of residency; the remaining 2026 date is Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Oil-based and latex paints are accepted at Cambridge HHW days. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Cans of latex paint may be dried out and set out with curbside trash with the lids off. 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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