# How to Dispose of Paint in Seattle (The Right Way) Source: https://mrjunkbgoneseattle.com/how-to-dispose-of-paint-in-seattle-the-right-way/ Last updated: 2026-10-28 Blog # How to Dispose of Paint in Seattle (The Right Way) March 11, 2026 Our crew picking up dozens of paint cans for responsible recycling. If you’ve ever stared at a pile of old paint cans in your garage and wondered *“Can I just throw these away?”* — you’re not alone. Paint disposal in Seattle is confusing, and the rules depend on what kind of paint you have. Here’s the short version: **latex paint and oil-based paint follow completely different rules.** Get it wrong and you could face fines — or worse, contaminate local waterways. We’ll walk you through your options, from DIY drop-offs to having us haul it all away. ## Latex Paint vs. Oil-Based Paint: Why It Matters **Latex (water-based) paint** is the most common type found in homes. It’s non-hazardous once it’s dry. You can solidify small amounts by leaving the lid off or mixing with cat litter, then toss the dried can in your regular garbage. **Oil-based paint, stains, and solvents **are classified as** hazardous waste** in Washington State. You cannot put them in the trash, pour them down a drain, or leave them at the curb. They must go to an authorized collection facility. ## DIY Options for Small Amounts If you only have a few cans, here are your free options in the Seattle area: | Option | What They Accept | Cost | | **PaintCare Drop-off Sites** | Latex & oil-based paint, stains, clear coats | Free | | **King County Hazardous Waste** | Oil-based paint, solvents, chemicals | Free (residential) | | **Solidify & Trash (Latex Only)** | Latex paint — dry it out with cat litter | Free | There are over 150 PaintCare drop-off sites across Washington State, including several in the Seattle metro area. Find one at [paintcare.org](https://www.paintcare.org/states/washington/). The nearest King County Hazardous Waste facility for North Seattle is at **12550 Stone Ave N**, open Sunday through Tuesday, 9 AM – 5 PM. ## But What If You Have a *Lot* of Paint? A few cans in the garage? Sure, drive them to a drop-off. But what about **dozens of cans from a renovation, an [estate cleanout](https://mrjunkbgoneseattle.com/estate-cleanout-seattle/), or a commercial property?** That’s where we come in. Junk B Gone handles paint removal for homeowners, [property managers](https://mrjunkbgoneseattle.com/property-managers/), and contractors across the Seattle area. We pick it up, sort it, and make sure every can gets disposed of properly — so you don’t have to make ten trips to the hazardous waste facility. **We handle it all: - Latex paint, oil-based paint, stains, primers, and sealers - Full or partially full cans — any size - Commercial quantities (we’ve hauled hundreds of gallons in a single visit) - Sorting and proper disposal so you stay compliant ## Our Partnership with GreenSheen Paint We don’t just dispose of paint — we make sure as much as possible gets **recycled**. Junk B Gone partners with [GreenSheen Paint](https://greensheenpaint.com/), a Kent, WA-based company that takes collected latex paint and turns it into high-quality, low-VOC recycled paint. Their proprietary process cleans and refines old paint into ready-to-use house paint that’s sold at nearly 200 retail locations nationwide. Our crew delivering collected paint to GreenSheen’s recycling facility in Kent, WA. That means when you call us to haul away your old paint, it doesn’t just end up in a landfill. It gets a second life as new paint — and you helped make that happen. ### Responsible Disposal. Zero Hassle. Other junk haulers dump paint at the nearest facility and call it done. We partner with GreenSheen to make sure your paint gets recycled into something useful — not buried in a landfill. ## Who Calls Us for Paint Removal? - **Property managers** dealing with [unit turnovers](https://mrjunkbgoneseattle.com/apartment-cleanout-seattle/) where tenants left behind cans of paint - **Contractors** wrapping up renovation projects with leftover materials - **Homeowners** cleaning out garages, basements, and [sheds](https://mrjunkbgoneseattle.com/shed-removal-seattle/) - **Estate cleanout teams** handling decades of accumulated paint - **Businesses** clearing out old inventory or maintenance supplies No matter the quantity, we handle the heavy lifting and the paperwork. ## Frequently Asked Questions Can I put paint cans in my regular trash? Only if it’s **latex paint that’s completely dried out**. Remove the lid, let it dry (or mix with cat litter), then put the hardened can in your garbage. Oil-based paint can never go in regular trash. How much does paint removal cost? It depends on the quantity and whether it’s mixed with other junk. We give free estimates — just call or text us a photo and we’ll quote it on the spot. Do you take oil-based paint too? Yes. We handle both latex and oil-based paint, plus stains, primers, sealers, and solvents. Everything gets routed to the right facility. What happens to the paint after you pick it up? Latex paint goes to our partner [GreenSheen Paint](https://greensheenpaint.com/) in Kent, WA, where it’s recycled into new, low-VOC paint. Oil-based paint and solvents go to authorized hazardous waste facilities. ### Don’t Call the 800 Number. Call Your Neighbors. [Locally owned](https://mrjunkbgoneseattle.com/about-junk-b-gone/) since 1989. Not a franchise. Not a call center. Just us. [Call (206) 722-4285](tel:2067224285) Schedule Your Free Estimate ## Got Paint? We’ll Pick It Up. Free estimates, [same-day service](https://mrjunkbgoneseattle.com/same-day-junk-removal-seattle/), and responsible disposal through our GreenSheen partnership. Call, text, or schedule online. [Call (206) 722-4285](tel:2067224285) Get Your Free Estimate [Prefer to text us?](sms:2067224285) About the Author ### Zelalem Meshesha General Manager, Junk B Gone Zelalem Meshesha brings over 15 years of experience running service businesses to his role as General Manager of Junk B Gone. Before joining the team, he operated a limousine company and managed a restaurant — building the kind of customer-first approach that defines how we work. Today he runs the day-to-day: scheduling crews, running estimates, hiring and training our team, and making sure every customer gets taken care of from first call to final invoice. An Ethiopian immigrant, Zelalem lives in North Seattle with his wife and three children. ## We Provide Junk removal & Disposal Services. Free onsite estimates with all-inclusive pricing. No hidden fees. Our friendly, professional teams do all the heavy lifting. Responsible disposal. Give us a call, we're ready to haul. Book Now ## Related Posts --- Junk B Gone, (206) 722-4285. Facts and the request API for AI assistants: https://mrjunkbgoneseattle.com/llms.txt