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Paints and Coatings Recycling and Proper Disposal Locations
serving Stockton, Tracy, Lodi, Manteca, Ripon, Lathrop, Escalon and San Joaquin County

How do I recycle or properly dispose of...

Save money and avoid waste by buying the right amount of paint!  Make sure you don't buy more paint than you really need: use this interactive calculator from the Paint Quality Institute, or try our printable card to help determine how much paint you need for your project.

Why can't I throw it in the garbage?
Paints contain resins, solvents, pigments, and additives that are toxic and/or flammable.  Although water-based latex paint is less hazardous than oil-based paint, its ingredients are hazardous to human health and the environment and it must be managed as a hazardous waste at time of disposal.

HHW ReUse Room
If the products or items dropped off at the HHW are: 1) useable, 2) not a banned product and 3) are full enough to make it worthwhile, our hazardous materials specialists will place them in the HHW Re-Use Room, where other county residents who can use these products can take them home FREE of charge.  Why waste a perfectly good product by placing it in the trash when someone out there can re-use it?  You can feel good about helping the environment and helping people save a few bucks.

There is NO COST for San Joaquin County residents to drop off these materials at the HHW Facility  for proper disposal.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN THE GARBAGE!

 

Where Can I Take Paint and Coatings for Proper Disposal?

Businesses:
Businesses can utilize the following resources to properly dispose of paint and other coatings:

San Joaquin Household Hazardous Waste Facility
San Joaquin County small businesses that qualify for the Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) Program can deliver paint to the San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility for a fee.  Click on the "Small Business HHW" links below for more information.

Residents
Residents of San Joaquin County can utilize the following resources to properly dispose of paint and coatings:

San Joaquin Household Hazardous Waste Facility
San Joaquin County residents can take up to 15 gallons total at one time to the San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility for recycling and proper disposal.  Click on the HHW links below for more information.

San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities
San Joaquin County residents can take up to 5 gallons of latex paint only to San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities.  For more information on San Joaquin County Solid Waste Facilities click on the links listed below.

Latex Paint Retail Drop-off Locations
San Joaquin County residents may take up to 5 gallons of latex paint to participating retail locations.  Paint must be latex (water-based), in original, non-leaking containers with readable labels.  Please note, leaking or unidentifiable containers, paint mixed with other products, empty paint cans, oil-based paint or other hazardous wastes will not be accepted at retail locations.  This program is for residential use only; paint from non-residential sources will not be accepted.  Participating retailers include:
 

True Value Hardware
1436 Main Street
Escalon, CA 95320
209-838-7805
 

 Schemper’s Ace Hardware
150 North Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
209-599-2141
 

Small Business
HHW