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Paint Recycling in Chicago, IL

Chicago's HCCRF takes oil-based and aerosol paint but not latex paint. PaintCare retail sites in the city, such as JC Licht River North Ace and two Sherwin-Williams stores, take latex and oil-based house paint at no charge, up to 5 gallons per visit.

See all 7 options

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

7 ways to get rid of a paint in Chicago

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

Show
  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · ChicagoNo 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 →

  2. JC Licht River North AceDrop-off · 440 N Orleans St, ChicagoIllinois residentsFree
    Where

    440 N Orleans St
    Chicago, IL 60654

    Hours

    During regular business hours; call ahead to confirm hours and that the store can take your amount and type of paint.

    Cost & rules

    Paint

    AcceptedFree (documented)
    • Latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons; no aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers.
    • Limit: 5 gallons per visit

    Full details & sources

  3. Sherwin-Williams (Stony Island Ave)Drop-off · 9100 S Stony Island Ave, ChicagoIllinois residentsFree
    Where

    9100 S Stony Island Ave
    Chicago, IL 60617

    Hours

    During regular business hours; call ahead to confirm hours and that the store can take your amount and type of paint.

    Cost & rules

    Paint

    AcceptedFree (documented)
    • Latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons; no aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers.
    • Limit: 5 gallons per visit

    Full details & sources

  4. Sherwin-Williams (Milwaukee Ave)Drop-off · 4201 N Milwaukee Ave, ChicagoIllinois residentsFree
    Where

    4201 N Milwaukee Ave
    Chicago, IL 60641

    Hours

    During regular business hours; call ahead to confirm hours and that the store can take your amount and type of paint.

    Cost & rules

    Paint

    AcceptedFree (documented)
    • Latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons; no aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers.
    • Limit: 5 gallons per visit

    Full details & sources

  5. Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF)Drop-off · 1150 N. North Branch Street, ChicagoChicago residentsConditions applyCost not listed
    Where

    1150 N. North Branch Street
    Chicago, IL 60642

    Hours

    Tuesday 7 am–12 pm; Thursday 2–7 pm; first Saturday of every month 8 am–3 pm. Materials may not be left outside unattended.

    Cost & rules

    Paint

    Accepted with conditionsCost unknown

    Fees aren’t recorded. Don’t assume drop-off is free.

    • Oil-based paint, aerosol paint and paint thinners only; latex, acrylic and water-based paint are not accepted.

    Full details & sourcesOfficial site (opens in new tab)

  6. PaintCare Illinois paint drop-off programNonprofit service · IllinoisOpen to everyoneFree
    How it works

    Paint stewardship program under the Illinois Paint Stewardship Act. PaintCare runs year-round drop-off sites across Illinois, mostly at paint and hardware stores and HHW sites, where anyone can leave house paint, primers, stains, sealers and varnish at no charge. Find sites with the PaintCare locator.

    Cost & rules
    • House paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. No aerosol spray paint.
    • Contact the drop-off site to confirm hours and how much paint it will take.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  7. Illinois EPA household hazardous waste collectionsState program · IllinoisIllinois residentsConditions applyFree
    How it works

    Illinois EPA funds five long-term HHW collection sites (Naperville, Rockford, Chicago Goose Island, Gurnee and Wood River) and free one-day Saturday collections each spring and fall, co-sponsored by local communities.

    Cost & rules
    • Oil-based paint only; latex paint is not accepted at state-sponsored collection events.
    • One-day events need pre-registration for a time slot.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

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

Illinois rules

More Illinois rules (6)
Where this information comes from (31)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility (opens in new tab) · City of Chicago Department of Environment
    • All Chicagoans may drop off their individual household chemicals and electronics; businesses and large groups must use a private disposal company. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The HCCRF accepts oil-based paints, aerosol paints and paint thinners. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The HCCRF does not accept latex paint because of its high disposal cost and low environmental impact. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • How to Dispose of Latex Paint (opens in new tab) · City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation
    • The city suggests drying leftover latex paint with kitty litter, shredded paper or sawdust, then throwing it away. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare: Illinois (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
    • There is no charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare: drop-off site locator data (sites.json) (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
    • Chicago PaintCare retail sites accept latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons; no aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Paint is accepted during regular business hours; call ahead. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • PaintCare lists a limit of 5 gallons per visit at this site. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Paint is accepted during regular business hours; call ahead. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • PaintCare lists a limit of 5 gallons per visit at this site. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Paint is accepted during regular business hours; call ahead. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • PaintCare lists a limit of 5 gallons per visit at this site. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Illinois EPA: Paint (household hazardous waste) (opens in new tab) · Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
    • Under the Illinois Paint Stewardship Act, residents can drop off leftover paint at more than 300 year-round PaintCare drop-off sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The Paint Stewardship Act (P.A. 103-372, effective January 1, 2024) requires makers of architectural paint sold at retail in Illinois to run a postconsumer paint stewardship program. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • PaintCare drop-off sites do not accept aerosols (spray paint). Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Illinois EPA asks people to contact PaintCare drop-off sites to confirm hours and the type and amount of paint they will take. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare: Illinois paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
    • Illinois EPA approved PaintCare's Illinois program plan on October 28, 2025. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The program is funded by a PaintCare fee added to the price of each container of new paint sold in Illinois: $0.45 for containers larger than a half pint and under 1 gallon, $0.95 for 1 to 2 gallons, and $1.95 for over 2 up to 5 gallons. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • PaintCare runs drop-off sites throughout Illinois where the public can take unwanted paint for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • PaintCare Illinois drop-off sites are open to households, businesses, government agencies and others with leftover paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • There is no charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • PaintCare sites accept house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Illinois EPA: Paint (waste disposal fact sheet) (opens in new tab) · Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
    • Illinois EPA says homeowners' paint waste is not a special waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • A properly permitted sanitary landfill may accept a homeowner's paint waste for disposal. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Illinois EPA: Household Waste Disposal (opens in new tab) · Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
    • Oil-based paints are accepted at state-sponsored household hazardous waste collection events; latex paints are not. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Oil-based paints are accepted at state-sponsored HHW collection events; latex paints are not. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Illinois EPA: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab) · Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
    • Illinois EPA says state and federal law allow household hazardous waste to go out with residential garbage, but taking it to an HHW collection is more protective. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • HHW collections funded by Illinois EPA are free to the public. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals and business wastes are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Illinois EPA: HHW Collection Events and Long-Term Collection Locations (opens in new tab) · Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
    • Each fall 2026 one-day collection event is open to all Illinois residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Pre-registration is required for all fall 2026 collection events, which gives residents set time slots. Checked October 26, 2026.

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

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