Paint Recycling in South Lake Tahoe, CA

STR's hazardous waste facility at 2140 Ruth Avenue takes up to 15 gallons free (Tue–Sat); PaintCare stores Sherwin-Williams and Meeks Lumber also take paint.

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 South Lake Tahoe

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 · South Lake TahoeNo 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 →
South Tahoe Refuse Transfer Station & Household Hazardous Waste FacilityDrop-off · 2140 Ruth Avenue, South Lake TahoeOpen to everyoneFree
Where
2140 Ruth Avenue
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Hours
Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed Sundays and holidays); hazardous waste Tue–Sat 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost & rules
Paint
AcceptedFree (documented)
Up to 15 gallons per day free; hazardous waste staffed Tue–Sat 9–4.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
Sherwin-Williams (South Lake Tahoe)Drop-off · 1035 Takela Dr, South Lake TahoeOpen to everyoneConditions applyFree
Where
1035 Takela Dr
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Hours
Not listed. Call before you go.
Cost & rules
Paint
Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
Latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons; no aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers.
Full details & sources
Meeks Lumber and Hardware (South Lake Tahoe)Drop-off · 2763 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake TahoeOpen to everyoneConditions applyFree
Where
2763 Lake Tahoe Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Hours
Not listed. Call before you go.
Cost & rules
Paint
Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
Latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons; no aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers.
Full details & sources
El Dorado Disposal Transfer Station & Materials Recovery Facility (4100 Throwita Way, Placerville)Pickup service · El Dorado CountyOpen to everyoneFree
How it works
El Dorado Disposal runs a materials recovery facility and transfer station at 4100 Throwita Way, Placerville, open 7 days 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (530-626-4141). Free: clean mattresses/box springs, e-waste (TVs, computers, monitors, printers), segregated recycling incl. cardboard, scrap metal. Paid: appliances, microwaves, tires. Free HHW Friday–Sunday 9–4 for El Dorado County residents.
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)

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 (27)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

South Tahoe Refuse & Recycling Services: Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · South Tahoe Refuse & Recycling Services
- STR runs a household hazardous waste program at the transfer station covering paint and other HHW; residents can drop off up to 15 gallons at no cost. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The hazardous waste facility is staffed Tuesday–Saturday 9 a.m.–4 p.m., closed 12–12:30 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
PaintCare drop-off site locator data (sites.json) (opens in new tab) · PaintCare
- PaintCare lists South Tahoe Refuse and Recycling HHW Facility at 2140 Ruth Ave, South Lake Tahoe 96150 as a paint drop-off site (HHW and VSQG Businesses in Alpine County El Dorado County City of South Lake Tahoe). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Sherwin-Williams at 1035 Takela Dr, South Lake Tahoe 96150 as a paint drop-off site (Households and Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare lists Meeks Lumber and Hardware at 2763 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe 96150 as a paint drop-off site (Households and Businesses in California). Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare retail sites accept latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons, but not aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers. Checked October 26, 2026.
El Dorado Disposal: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · El Dorado Disposal
- Household hazardous waste can be dropped off Friday–Sunday 9 a.m.–4 p.m. for free. Checked October 26, 2026.
- El Dorado County residents may bring up to 15 gallons (5-gallon or smaller containers) or 125 lb per trip. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oil-based and water-based paint are accepted, 15 gallons each. Checked October 26, 2026.
PaintCare: California (opens in new tab) · PaintCare
- PaintCare does not charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site in California. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare sites accept house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. 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