Paint Recycling in Oakland, CA

Paint can go free to the Alameda County HHW facility on East 7th Street or to ReStore Oakland, which recycles it through PaintCare.

See all 6 options

Check before you go

Not yet confirmed: we couldn’t check this detail against a current source.

The PaintCare fee on new paint is $0.30 (over a half pint to under 1 gallon), $0.65 (1-2 gallons) and $1.50 (over 2 to 5 gallons), rising to $0.45, $0.95 and $1.95 on May 1, 2027. (PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab))

Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

6 ways to get rid of a paint in Oakland

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

All 6 Free 5 Drop-off 3 Services & pickup 3

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · OaklandNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $70.00
How it works
Book online, set out your paint and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.
Book a pickup →
Habitat for Humanity ReStore OaklandDrop-off · 9235 San Leandro St., OaklandFree
Where
9235 San Leandro St.
Oakland, CA 94603
Hours
Donation and recycling drop-off Monday–Saturday, 9 am–4 pm.
Cost & rules
Paint
AcceptedFree (documented)
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Oakland)Drop-off · 2100 East 7th Street, OaklandAlameda County residentsFree
Where
2100 East 7th Street
Oakland, CA 94606
Hours
Wednesday–Friday 9 am–2:30 pm; Saturday 9 am–4 pm.
Cost & rules
Paint
AcceptedFree (documented)
Limit: 15 gallons or 125 lbs per visit.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste ProgramCounty service · Alameda CountyAlameda County residentsFree
How it works
Free, no-appointment drop-off of household hazardous waste for Alameda County residents at four facilities: Oakland (2100 East 7th St.), Hayward (2091 West Winton Ave.), Livermore (5584 La Ribera St.) and Fremont (41149 Boyce Rd.). Limit 15 gallons or 125 lbs per visit. Hotline (800) 606-6606.
Official page (opens in new tab)
PaintCare California paint drop-off programNonprofit service · CaliforniaOpen to everyoneFree
How it works
Paint stewardship program overseen by CalRecycle and run by PaintCare since October 2012. PaintCare lists 822 year-round drop-off sites where households, businesses and others can leave house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings at no charge; free pickup for 100+ gallons.
Cost & rules
- House paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings (shellac, varnish) in containers of 5 gallons or less. Aerosol paint and empty cans are not part of the program.
- Free large volume pickup for 100+ gallons.
Official page (opens in new tab)
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Fremont)Drop-off · outside Oakland · 41149 Boyce Road, FremontAlameda County residentsFree
Where
41149 Boyce Road
Fremont, CA 94538
Hours
Wednesday–Friday 8:30 am–2:30 pm; Saturday 8:30 am–4:30 pm.
Cost & rules
Paint
AcceptedFree (documented)
Limit: 15 gallons or 125 lbs per visit.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)

Before you go

Note whether it’s latex (water-based) or oil-based; programs often treat them differently.
Keep paint in its original, labelled, closed container.
Ask about quantity limits per visit.

More about paint

California rules

Oil-based paint waste is hazardous and latex paint waste is presumed hazardous in California. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)
Drying out paint without a hazardous waste treatment permit is prohibited; take leftover paint, including dried paint, to a drop-off location. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)

More California rules (10)

Aerosol paint and empty paint containers are not currently part of PaintCare's program; ask your city, county or hauler. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle approved a PaintCare fee increase on October 15, 2026, effective May 1, 2027. Source: PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
The PaintCare fee on new paint is $0.30 (over a half pint to under 1 gallon), $0.65 (1-2 gallons) and $1.50 (over 2 to 5 gallons), rising to $0.45, $0.95 and $1.95 on May 1, 2027. Source: PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
Architectural paint sold in containers of five gallons or less can be dropped off at many retail and other collection sites; aerosol coatings and related products join the program by January 1, 2028 at the latest. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)
DTSC says universal wastes (batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans and PV modules) must go to a designated handler or recycler and cannot go in household trash or landfills. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab)
It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment; it must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Many HHW facilities keep set days and hours, some cap daily amounts, some only hold events once or twice a year, and many require an appointment. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Source: CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (22)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

ReStore Recycling (mattresses, paint, electronics) (opens in new tab) · Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley
- Mattresses, paint and electronics can be dropped off free for recycling at select ReStores. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Used paint can be recycled at ReStore Oakland through PaintCare. Checked October 26, 2026.
Household Hazardous Waste Program (Alameda County) (opens in new tab) · StopWaste / Alameda County HHW Program
- Alameda County residents can drop off HHW for free at any of four facilities, no appointment needed. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Maximum 15 gallons or 125 lbs per visit; containers 5 gallons or 50 lbs max. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Facilities accept latex and oil-based paint, stains, varnishes and thinners. Checked October 26, 2026.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Facilities in Alameda County (opens in new tab) · StopWaste / Alameda County HHW Program
- The service is for Alameda County residents only, not businesses. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- DTSC says universal wastes (batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans and PV modules) must go to a designated handler or recycler and cannot go in household trash or landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment; it must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many HHW facilities keep set days and hours, some cap daily amounts, some only hold events once or twice a year, and many require an appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- Oil-based paint waste is hazardous and latex paint waste is presumed hazardous in California. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Drying out paint without a hazardous waste treatment permit is prohibited; take leftover paint, including dried paint, to a drop-off location. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Architectural paint sold in containers of five gallons or less can be dropped off at many retail and other collection sites; aerosol coatings and related products join the program by January 1, 2028 at the latest. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Aerosol paint and empty paint containers are not currently part of PaintCare's program; ask your city, county or hauler. Checked October 26, 2026.
PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
- CalRecycle approved a PaintCare fee increase on October 15, 2026, effective May 1, 2027. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The PaintCare fee on new paint is $0.30 (over a half pint to under 1 gallon), $0.65 (1-2 gallons) and $1.50 (over 2 to 5 gallons), rising to $0.45, $0.95 and $1.95 on May 1, 2027. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · not yet confirmed.
- There is no charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare California drop-off sites are available to households, businesses, government agencies and others. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare sites accept house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare offers a free large volume pickup for 100 or more gallons of leftover architectural paint. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.

How we check our information