Local disposal guide
How to Dispose of Paint in Calgary
Paint is household hazardous waste, so it cannot go in your cart, down the drain, or in the regular garbage. The good news: Calgary makes it free and easy to drop off. Here is where it goes, and the one thing to know if it is part of a bigger cleanout.
- Free drop-off in Calgary
- Household hazardous waste
- Straight answers
Start here
Paint Is Hazardous Waste, But Dropping It Off Is Free
Leftover paint counts as household hazardous waste, so it cannot go in your black cart, down a drain, or out with the regular garbage. It has to go to a proper drop-off, and in Calgary that drop-off is free, with several convenient locations. Here is how it works.
Your options
Where Paint Goes in Calgary
Drop It Free at a City Eco Centre
City Eco Centres accept paint and paint cans free of charge, including dried-out paint and empty cans. Keep it separate from your other garbage, though, bringing paint mixed in with a general load can trigger charges.
Use a household hazardous waste depot
Calgary has free household hazardous waste drop-off at its Eco Centres and at several fire-station depots around the city. No appointment is needed, and you can bring up to 20 litres per visit, check the location's hours before you go.
Dry it out or pass it on
A little latex paint left in the can can be dried out (lid off in a ventilated spot, or stir in some kitty litter), and even dried cans are still accepted at drop-off. Usable paint can also be offered to a friend or a community project.
Never pour it down the drain
Paint should never go down a sink, a storm drain, or into your cart. It contaminates water and is not collected at the curb. A free drop-off is always the right answer.
One honest note
The One Thing We Cannot Haul
Straight answer: paint and other hazardous materials are the one thing we cannot take. They need a licensed hazardous-waste handler, which is exactly what Calgary’s free drop-off program is for. We would rather tell you that plainly than take something we are not equipped for.
But here is the practical part: if you are clearing out a garage or basement and there is paint mixed in with everything else, set the paint aside for a depot, and we will take care of all the rest, furniture, junk, appliances, scrap, and renovation debris, in a single visit. See what we take for the full list. Text a photo to 587-330-5500 for a free price on the rest.
Common questions
Paint Disposal Questions
Can I put paint in my garbage or recycling cart in Calgary?
No. Paint is household hazardous waste and cannot go in any cart, down a drain, or out with the regular garbage. Take it to a City Eco Centre or a household hazardous waste depot, where drop-off is free.
Is it free to dispose of paint in Calgary?
Yes. Paint and paint cans are accepted free at City Eco Centres and household hazardous waste depots, including dried-out paint and empty cans. Bringing paint mixed in with a load of other garbage can trigger charges, so keep it separate.
What do I do with dried-out or empty paint cans?
They are still accepted at a City Eco Centre or hazardous waste depot. If there is a little latex paint left, you can dry it out first, lid off in a ventilated spot, or stir in some kitty litter, then drop off the can.
Do you haul away paint with a junk removal job?
Paint and other hazardous materials are the one thing we cannot take, they need a licensed hazardous-waste handler. Set the paint aside for a free depot, and we will clear everything else in the same visit.
Related
For Everything Else
Recycling & Disposal
Where your items actually go, and how we keep them out of the landfill.