How to Get Rid of Old Paint

The best way to get rid of old paint is to use it up! Combine different colours of the same type of paint or stain (latex-base or solvent-base enamel) to create your own custom colour — just enough for some small project you've been waiting to finish.

Recycle your leftover paint

In some areas, there are salvage businesses or recycle companies that reclaim, mix and repackage your old leftover interior latex paint to create low-priced, recycled paint which is then sold and reused. Generally, recycled paints are also low-VOC, because much of the solvent in old leftover paint has already evaporated.

• Guidance Manual for Paint Reuse Programs – National Paint & Coatings Association, Washington, DC, 2008. Prepared by the Paint Product Stewardship Initiative (paint.org) Manual for setting up and running a paint recycling program, 96 pages!
• Boomerang Recycled Paint – Boomerang offers environmentally-friendly, reclaimed products made from unused portions of recovered domestic paint and stain…

Old Paint is Household Hazardous Waste

Cans of leftover paint products (and other products that are corrosive, flammable or poisonous) are considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). These types of substances contaminate water and landfills. They should NEVER be poured down the drain, or put in with your regular garbage.

Household Hazardous Waste Depots limit the quantity of hazardous waste you can drop off. In Ottawa, the maximum quantity for household hazardous waste is 100 litres. HHW Depot staff determine whether or not they will accept the quantity and type of waste you wish to dispose of. No commercial waste is accepted.

Find out when the HHW Depot in your area is open. Some HHW Depots are only open between certain hours on specific days during the week, or on set days each month. And most HHW Depots generally are only open during the summer.

Dispose of empty paint cans and
cans containing paint properly

• Empty Paint Cans – Leave the lid off the can and let it dry out. Once dry, paint cans be put in your Blue Box for recycling.
• Cans Containing Paint – Take cans with leftover paint in them to the HHW Depot for your local area.

Where to take Hazardous Waste

• City of Ottawa Household Hazardous Waste – Lists dates and locations for HHW Depots for Ottawa residents only. All Ottawa HHW Depot locations are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.…
• Do What You Can – (dowhatyoucan.ca) Search by postal code, city and material for places near you that take household hazardous waste you can't put in the recycling box or garbage…
• Rideau Environmental Action League (REAL): Hazardous Waste Depot for Lanark Municipalities – REAL promotes environmental improvements within the town of Smiths Falls, Ontario and Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Counties…

• Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre (OVWRC) – Open to residents of the Town of Petawawa, the City of Pembroke, the Township of Laurentian Valley, the Township of North Algona Wilberforce and Ward 3 Bonnechere Valley…
• Recommended Guidelines for Removal of Lead-Based Paints – Environmental Public Health Services, Edmonton Area, Alberta, Revised 2008.