Paint Recycling in Minneapolis, MN

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Drop-off household hazardous waste and recycling (opens in new tab) · Hennepin County Environment and Energy
  • The facilities serve Hennepin County households only; household hazardous waste is also accepted from Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Ramsey, Scott and Washington County households. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Proof of residency, such as a driver's license or utility bill, is required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Paint, stain, varnish, solvents and driveway sealer are accepted; five-gallon pails are limited to three per year. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Transport household hazardous waste in sealed, labeled containers of 5 gallons or less, upright in a plastic-lined box. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Recycling Drop-off Center (opens in new tab) · City of Saint Paul Public Works
  • The Environmental Center does not accept cardboard or other recycling from businesses. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Electronics and Small Appliances Recycling (opens in new tab) · Ramsey County
  • Electronics, kitchen countertop appliances and small electric items can be dropped off free of charge; open to residents of Ramsey, Washington, Hennepin, Anoka, Dakota, Carver and Scott counties. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Ramsey County
  • Ramsey County takes household hazardous waste at its free collection site, the Environmental Center, which replaced the Bay West and mobile collection sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · City of Saint Paul Public Works
  • Saint Paul lists paint, stains and varnishes, rechargeable batteries and lead-acid batteries as household hazardous waste, which Ramsey County collects at its year-round Environmental Center. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Environmental Centers (opens in new tab) · Washington County
  • Open to residents of Washington, Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Scott counties; show your driver's license or other proof of residency. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Home improvement products accepted include paint, paint removers and thinners, stains and varnishes. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Household Hazardous Waste Facility (opens in new tab) · Anoka County Recycling & Resource Solutions
  • There is no charge to use the site; bring identification such as a driver's license as proof of residency. Businesses are not permitted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents of Hennepin, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties only. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted: automotive batteries, household batteries (alkaline, lithium-ion, rechargeable, button) and liquid paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Not accepted: appliances, dried paint, electronics, garbage and tires. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Garbage drop-off site (opens in new tab) · City of Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling
  • The South Transfer Station is for City customers only: you need City garbage or water service, and must call for a voucher or pass first. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Drop-off items and fees (South Transfer Station) (opens in new tab) · City of Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling
  • Not accepted: hazardous materials, liquids, paint or paint cans, yard waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Accepted garbage (opens in new tab) · City of Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling
  • City garbage collection does not take household hazardous waste such as paints, rechargeable batteries or tires; take them to a drop-off location. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PaintCare: Minnesota (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
  • PaintCare drop-off sites throughout Minnesota are open to households, businesses, government agencies and others with leftover paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • There is no charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site; the program is funded by the PaintCare fee on new paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare lists 265 year-round drop-off sites in Minnesota; the program began in November 2014. 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 service for 100+ gallons of unwanted paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The PaintCare fee in Minnesota, added to the price of new paint by container size: $0.00 for a half pint or smaller, $0.49 for larger than a half pint to under 1 gallon, $0.99 for 1-2 gallons, $1.99 for larger than 2 up to 5 gallons. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The PaintCare fee is not a tax or a deposit; it funds the whole paint stewardship program. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Minnesota Statutes 115A.1415 Architectural paint product stewardship program (opens in new tab) · Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes
  • Architectural paint under the law means interior and exterior architectural coatings sold in containers of five gallons or less, not industrial, original equipment or specialty coatings. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Architectural paint may not be sold in Minnesota unless its producer takes part in an approved stewardship plan. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The stewardship plan must explain how paint will be collected statewide without end-of-life fees, considering the existing household hazardous waste infrastructure when choosing sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
  • PaintCare lists Minnesota among the states where it runs paint recycling programs on behalf of paint companies under paint stewardship laws. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Minnesota Statutes 115A.932 Mercury prohibition (opens in new tab) · Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes
  • Administrative penalties for a household that violates the mercury disposal ban may not exceed $700. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Minnesota Statutes 115A.96 Household hazardous waste; management (opens in new tab) · Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes
  • Household hazardous waste is waste from household activity that has the characteristics of, or is listed as, hazardous waste, not waste from commercial activity in a home. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The MPCA must run a statewide household hazardous waste program, including collection sites and information, education and technical assistance. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Each county must have a household hazardous waste management plan (education, reduction, and separating and collecting HHW from trash) and had to implement it by June 30, 1992. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • HHW programs must be allowed to accept up to 100 pounds of waste a year from a business generating 220 pounds or less of hazardous waste a month. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • An HHW collection site is a permanent or temporary location with scheduled hours where people may bring household hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.