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How to Get Rid of Latex or Oil-Based Paint in Austin, TX

Quick answer

Leftover liquid paint of any kind, latex or oil-based: Austin treats it as household hazardous waste (HHW). Book a free curbside HHW pickup (up to 3 per year) or a drop-off appointment at the Recycle and Reuse Center.
Empty or nearly empty latex cans: take the lid off, let what's left dry out, then put the can in your trash cart.
Oil-based paint and thinners never go in the trash or down the drain. Keep them in the original labeled container and use HHW pickup or drop-off.

Last checked: 2026-10-24 against the official sources below.

Your options

Option	Where / who	Details	Address	Hours	Fee	Residency	Source
Free city pickup	ARR on-demand household hazardous waste collection	Accepts 'paint and paint thinners.' The city's What Do I Do With tool says for paint: 'Paints of all types are accepted.' Up to 3 HHW collections per address per calendar year. Up to 30 gallons total per collection, and no single container over 5 gallons.	At your home (NOT at the curb; somewhere crews can reach it, out of rain and direct sun)	Set out by 5:30 a.m. on your appointment date	Free with ARR curbside service	ARR residential curbside customers only (houses up to fourplexes)	source
Drop-off site	Recycle and Reuse Center (HHW drop-off)	Accepts 'paint and thinners.' Bring paint in original containers, 5 gallons or smaller, upright in sturdy boxes, not in trash bags. Residents may bring up to 30 gallons of household liquid hazardous waste at no charge. Above 30 gallons may be charged at cost.	2514 Business Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744	By appointment only. Specific hours: check with 311 or 512-974-4343.	Free for Austin and Travis County residents; non-residents pay a service fee (see ARR fee schedule)	Austin/Travis County residents. ARR's administrative rules call for a photo ID and a utility bill from the last 90 days. Businesses cannot drop off hazardous waste.	source
Trash (empty latex cans only)	Your trash cart	The city's What Do I Do With tool says 'Paint Cans (empty)' go in the trash: 'Remove the lids from empty latex paint cans and allow any residue to dry out.' TCEQ guidance: if a can is less than 1/4 full, take the lid off in a well-ventilated area; it will dry in a few days, then goes in the trash.	Curbside	Trash out by 5:30 a.m. on your collection day	Included in trash service	ARR curbside customers	source
Store take-back	Retail paint take-back	Texas is not one of the states listed on PaintCare's site as having a paint stewardship (take-back) program, so stores aren't required to take paint back. Ask your store; otherwise check with 311.	-	-	-	-	source
Donate / reuse	Give it away, or pick up free Austin ReBlend paint	TCEQ suggests giving usable, unexpired paint to friends or neighbors. Paint dropped off at the center is recycled into Austin ReBlend, a free reblended flat paint (low VOC) for anyone, by appointment. The Austin Reuse Directory lists other donation spots.	2514 Business Center Drive (ReBlend pickup)	Appointment required	Free	Free for individuals, nonprofits, and businesses	source
Paid haul-away	Private junk removal Get a quote from LoadUp	Many junk haulers don't accept liquid paint or chemicals. Confirm before you book.	-	-	Paid; quotes vary	None	check with 311

Disclosure: The paid haul-away link may become an affiliate link. If it does, CurbRules may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you. Free city options are always listed first.

How to prep it

Keep paint in its original container with a readable label. Never mix products.
No container larger than 5 gallons, for either pickup or drop-off.
Curbside HHW: seal and label containers; put small items in a recyclable box or tub (it won't be returned); bag leaking containers separately in zip-top bags; do NOT set HHW at the curb; keep it out of rain, direct sun, and heat or flame.
Drop-off: put containers upright in sturdy boxes, not trash bags; absorb leaks with cat litter.
Limit: 30 gallons per curbside HHW collection. For more, book another collection or use the center.
Never pour paint or thinner down a drain or storm drain.

Illegal dumping fines

Illegal dumping in Texas is a crime under Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 365.012. The penalty class depends on the amount: 5 lb or less (or 5 gallons or less) is a Class C misdemeanor (fine up to $500). More than 5 lb but under 500 lb (or more than 5 gallons but under 100 cubic feet) is a Class B misdemeanor (fine up to $2,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail). 500 lb to under 1,000 lb (or 100 to under 200 cubic feet) is a Class A misdemeanor (fine up to $4,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail). 1,000 lb or more (or 200 cubic feet or more) is a state jail felony. A repeat conviction moves up one class. A single mattress is likely over 5 lb, so that is at least a Class B offense. The City of Austin says offenders may also have to clean up the site, and property owners can be held responsible for cleanup.

Report illegal dumping to Austin 3-1-1 (call, app, or online) or the Regional Environmental Taskforce hotline at 1-877-NO-DUMPS (1-877-663-8677).

Sources: City of Austin Development Services: Illegal Dumping · TCEQ summary of Texas Health and Safety Code Ch. 365 penalties (PDF) · Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 365.012 · Texas Penal Code Ch. 12 (misdemeanor fine limits)

Official sources

Last checked 2026-10-24. Anything not confirmed by an official source is marked “check with 311.” Spot an error? Rules change, so always confirm with 3-1-1.

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