How to Get Rid of Old Paint in Los Angeles, CA

✓ Last verified October 21, 2026 against official Los Angeles, California and retailer sources. See sources.

Quick answer

Don't put paint in the trash or down the drain. California says it's illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste that way.
City and County of LA residents can drop off paint, stains and solvents free at a LASAN S.A.F.E. Center, up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit.
PaintCare drop-off sites in California, mostly paint and hardware stores, take leftover house paint free.
LASAN bulky item pickup doesn't take paint.

Your options in Los Angeles

S.A.F.E. Centers (all paint, stains, solvents, aerosols) Free

LASAN's S.A.F.E. Centers accept "paints, stains, and solvents" and aerosol cans free of charge. The disposal limit is up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit, and you'll be asked for the address where the waste came from. Bring items in the trunk with lids tight and containers upright. Put a leaking container inside a larger plastic bucket or bin. Staff unload while you stay in your vehicle.

Nicole Bernson (Balboa), Northridge: 10241 N. Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91325 · Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Randall Street, Sun Valley: 11025 Randall St., Sun Valley, CA 91352 · Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Gaffey Street, San Pedro: 1400 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90731 · Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Hyperion, Playa del Rey: 7660 W. Imperial Hwy., Gate B, Playa del Rey, CA 90293 · Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Washington Blvd., Central/East LA: 2649 E. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90021 · Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Los Angeles-Glendale, Atwater Village: 4600 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039 · Saturdays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (an older LASAN flyer says Saturday & Sunday; check with the city)
UCLA, Westwood: 550 Charles E. Young Dr. West, Los Angeles, CA 90095 · Fridays, Saturdays and the first Sunday of each month, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., per UCLA and LA County (an older LASAN flyer lists different hours; check with the city). Closed Nov. 27 and Dec. 25, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027.

Sources: LASAN – S.A.F.E. Centers (Household Hazardous Waste Disposal); LA County CleanLA – HHW/E-waste Collection Centers; UCLA EH&S – S.A.F.E. Collection Center Operations at UCLA

PaintCare drop-off sites (house paint, stains, varnish) Free

California's PaintCare program (since October 2012) runs year-round drop-off sites that accept house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Drop-off is free; the program is funded by a fee on new paint. Use PaintCare's site locator, and call the site first to confirm hours, accepted products and how much it takes.

Find a site: PaintCare site locator (paintcare.org) or hotline (855) PAINT09
Large amounts: Free pickup may be available for 100+ gallons (PaintCare Large Volume Pickup)

Source: PaintCare – California program and drop-off locations

Don't do this

Don't put paint in your black bin or pour it down the drain. California says that's illegal for household hazardous waste.
Don't set paint out for bulky item pickup. LASAN lists paints, solvents and chemicals as items it can't collect.

Or pay someone to haul it

If you can't get it to a drop-off site, or can't wait for city pickup, a junk-removal service can take it from inside your home. Prices depend on the company, your location and the size of the load, so get a quote first. Ask whether they recycle or donate items and whether they follow Los Angeles's rules, especially for electronics and paint.

LoadUp PLACEHOLDER: not a live link
College HUNKS Hauling Junk PLACEHOLDER: not a live link

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Frequently asked questions

Can I throw paint in the trash in Los Angeles?

No. California's DTSC lists paint as household hazardous waste and says it's illegal to dispose of HHW in the trash, down the drain or by abandonment. Take it to a S.A.F.E. Center or a PaintCare site.

How much paint can I bring to a S.A.F.E. Center?

LASAN's limit is up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit.

Is paint disposal free in LA?

Yes. LASAN says City and County of LA residents can dispose of household hazardous waste free at S.A.F.E. Centers, and PaintCare drop-off sites don't charge to drop off paint.

Does LA Sanitation pick up paint at the curb?

No. LASAN's bulky item service lists paints, solvents and chemicals as prohibited and points residents to S.A.F.E. Centers instead.

Sources

All checked on October 21, 2026. Rules, hours and fees change, so confirm with the source before you go.