Environmental Services
Learn more about how and where to properly dispose your unused or surplus paints:
City of San Diego Paint Disposal Brochure
PaintCare California drop-off locations
Most PaintCare California locations have a 5-gallon limit on the quantity of architectural paint they can accept. Paint containers must be 5-gallon in size or smaller. Leaking, unlabeled and empty containers are not accepted at PaintCare California drop-off sites.
There is no charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare California drop-off site.
The City of San Diego accepts unused and surplus paints at no charge to residents at its HHW Transfer Facility by appointment only.
PaintCare California is funded by a “PaintCare Fee” which is added to the purchase price of new paint sold in California. The fees are based on container size as follows:
Container Size | PaintCare Fee |
---|---|
Half pint or smaller | NO FEE |
Larger than half pint and smaller than 1 gallon | $0.35 |
1 Gallon | $0.75 |
Larger than 1 gallon up to 5 gallons | $1.60 |