Paint Recycling in Chester, PA
Chester sends residents to the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority’s HHW events (by appointment) for paint products.
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.
Pennsylvania rules
- DEP: latex paint is not hazardous and can go in regular trash once poured into absorbent material and completely dried. Source: PA DEP: "Green" Painting Tips brochure 2520-PA-DEP2400 (PDF) (opens in new tab)
- DEP: oil-based paints, stains and varnishes are hazardous; take them to a household hazardous waste collection program if available. Source: PA DEP: "Green" Painting Tips brochure 2520-PA-DEP2400 (PDF) (opens in new tab)
More Pennsylvania rules (21)
- DEP: if possible, recycle or dispose of paint-related waste at your local HHW collection site. Source: PA DEP: "Green" Painting Tips brochure 2520-PA-DEP2400 (PDF) (opens in new tab)
- 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 Pennsylvania: there is no PaintCare paint stewardship program in Pennsylvania. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
- Act 101 Section 1501(a): a municipality (other than a county) with 10,000 or more people must run a source-separation and collection program for recyclables. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
- Act 101 Section 1501(b): municipalities of more than 5,000 but under 10,000 people with density over 300 per square mile must also run a recycling program. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
- Residents of mandated municipalities must separate leaf waste unless they compost it; less dense municipalities that ban leaf burning may be exempt from leaf collection. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
- Mandated programs must have a scheduled curbside (or similar) collection day for separated materials at least once a month. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
- Statewide recycling began in 1988 with Act 101, which requires larger municipalities to recycle. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
- DEP says more than 11.6 million residents (at least 94 percent) have access to recycling, through about 1,050 curbside programs and 870 drop-off programs. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
- Act 101 set a $2-per-ton fee on waste disposed at municipal waste landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, funding local recycling grants. Source: PA DEP: Recycling in Pennsylvania (opens in new tab)
- For curbside recycling details, DEP tells residents to contact their local hauler or municipality. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
- For bulky items, DEP tells residents to contact their refuse hauler, or their county recycling coordinator if they have no hauler. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
- Some haulers and municipalities run curbside collection for special wastes restricted from regular trash (electronics, HHW, tires); each has its own requirements and costs. Source: PA DEP: Special Waste Materials Curbside Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
- DEP: household hazardous waste is unused household products that may explode, catch fire or harm the environment, e.g. paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, batteries and motor oil. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DEP lists ongoing HHW programs and one-time events by county; most municipal programs have residency requirements and some charge nominal fees or require registration. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
- Contact the program before dropping off HHW to learn what it accepts and when it operates. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
- If no collection program is available, HHW may legally go in regular trash if label directions are followed, liquids are evaporated or absorbed, residue is packaged against leaks, and it is set out in small quantities over several collections. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Under Act 101 as amended by Act 190 of 1996, HHW programs may operate if registered with DEP; most collect annually at drop-off sites, others year-round. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
- Act 190 allows 50% funding for HHW collection programs run by municipalities and non-profits. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
- Very small quantity generators (businesses making under 100 kg of hazardous waste a month) can use registered HHW programs like households. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
- If no HHW services are available in your area, DEP says to contact your county recycling coordinator. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (33)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- City of Philadelphia: Drop off household hazardous waste (opens in new tab) · City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation
- HHW collection events are open to residents of the five-county region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia); businesses must use a private service. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Accepted materials include auto and lead-acid batteries, lithium and NiCad batteries, fluorescent bulbs, motor oil, and oil, latex and water-based paint, among others. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The 2026 events run 9 a.m.–3 p.m. without registration: April 11 and July 9 (8401 State Rd.), May 9 (4800 Parkside Ave.), June 13 (Domino Lane), Sept. 19 (2121 W. York St.), Oct. 10 (3033 S. 63rd St.) and Nov. 7 (3901 N. Delaware Ave.). Checked October 26, 2026.
- Delaware County Solid Waste Authority: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Delaware County Solid Waste Authority
- Delaware County sponsors several HHW collection events each year where residents can bring their materials for free. Checked October 26, 2026.
- All events are by appointment only, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; registration opens six weeks before each event, and no trash, electronics or latex paint are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Accepted paint products include oil-based paints, solvent-based paint products, stains, varnish, spray paint, turpentine and paint thinners. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Unacceptable at the events: tires, latex paint, electronics, alkaline batteries, and appliances, white goods and Freon, among others. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Delaware County Solid Waste Authority: 2026 REVISED Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events (flyer, PDF) (opens in new tab) · Delaware County Solid Waste Authority
- The program is a community service for Delaware County residents and is not open to businesses, institutions or industry; a ticket is required for entry. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The revised 2026 schedule lists Saturday events on April 18 and Oct. 17 (Emergency Services Training Center, Sharon Hill), June 13 (Upper Chichester Municipal Building) and Sept. 12 (Rose Tree Park, Media). Checked October 26, 2026.
- City of Chester: Trash and Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Chester Department of Public Works
- Chester tells residents not to put hazardous household waste, including paint products, in the trash and points to the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority for county collection events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania General Assembly
- Act 101 Section 1501(a): a municipality (other than a county) with 10,000 or more people must run a source-separation and collection program for recyclables. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Act 101 Section 1501(b): municipalities of more than 5,000 but under 10,000 people with density over 300 per square mile must also run a recycling program. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents of mandated municipalities must separate leaf waste unless they compost it; less dense municipalities that ban leaf burning may be exempt from leaf collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Mandated programs must have a scheduled curbside (or similar) collection day for separated materials at least once a month. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Statewide recycling began in 1988 with Act 101, which requires larger municipalities to recycle. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEP says more than 11.6 million residents (at least 94 percent) have access to recycling, through about 1,050 curbside programs and 870 drop-off programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
- For curbside recycling details, DEP tells residents to contact their local hauler or municipality. Checked October 26, 2026.
- For bulky items, DEP tells residents to contact their refuse hauler, or their county recycling coordinator if they have no hauler. Checked October 26, 2026.
- If no HHW services are available in your area, DEP says to contact your county recycling coordinator. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Recycling in Pennsylvania (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Act 101 set a $2-per-ton fee on waste disposed at municipal waste landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, funding local recycling grants. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Special Waste Materials Curbside Collection Programs (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Some haulers and municipalities run curbside collection for special wastes restricted from regular trash (electronics, HHW, tires); each has its own requirements and costs. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- DEP: household hazardous waste is unused household products that may explode, catch fire or harm the environment, e.g. paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, batteries and motor oil. Checked October 26, 2026.
- If no collection program is available, HHW may legally go in regular trash if label directions are followed, liquids are evaporated or absorbed, residue is packaged against leaks, and it is set out in small quantities over several collections. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- DEP lists ongoing HHW programs and one-time events by county; most municipal programs have residency requirements and some charge nominal fees or require registration. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Contact the program before dropping off HHW to learn what it accepts and when it operates. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Under Act 101 as amended by Act 190 of 1996, HHW programs may operate if registered with DEP; most collect annually at drop-off sites, others year-round. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Act 190 allows 50% funding for HHW collection programs run by municipalities and non-profits. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Very small quantity generators (businesses making under 100 kg of hazardous waste a month) can use registered HHW programs like households. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: "Green" Painting Tips brochure 2520-PA-DEP2400 (PDF) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- DEP: latex paint is not hazardous and can go in regular trash once poured into absorbent material and completely dried. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEP: oil-based paints, stains and varnishes are hazardous; take them to a household hazardous waste collection program if available. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEP: if possible, recycle or dispose of paint-related waste at your local HHW collection site. 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 Pennsylvania: there is no PaintCare paint stewardship program in Pennsylvania. 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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