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Paint Recycling in Gaithersburg, MD

Gaithersburg does not collect paint; the city sends residents to the Montgomery County Transfer Station.

See all 3 options

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

3 ways to get rid of a paint in Gaithersburg

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

  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · GaithersburgNo 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. PaintCare Maryland paint drop-off programNonprofit service · MarylandOpen to everyoneFree
    How it works

    Paint stewardship program under Environment Article 9-1733, overseen by MDE. PaintCare lists 115 year-round drop-off sites in Maryland where households, businesses and others can leave house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings at no charge; it is funded by a PaintCare fee on new paint. Free pickup is available for 100+ gallons.

    Cost & rules
    • House paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. No aerosols, solvents or industrial coatings.
    • Original containers of 5 gallons or less, with the maker's label and a secured lid; open or leaking cans are not accepted.
    • Free pickup for 100+ gallons through PaintCare.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  3. Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station (Montgomery County)County service · Montgomery CountyMontgomery County residentsConditions applyCost not listed
    How it works

    Montgomery County's main drop-off site: residential entrance 16101 Frederick Road, Derwood, MD 20855 (the U.S. Census places this address in Redland CDP); commercial and truck entrance 16055 Shady Grove Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday (commercial entrance only). Residents with proof of county residency can drop off trash and bulk items (free under 500 pounds), scrap metal and appliances, electronics, mattresses and box springs, tires, batteries and household hazardous waste. Card payment only.

    Cost & rules
    • Oil-based paint at the HHW drop-off; the County gives separate at-home instructions for latex paint.
    • Residents only, proof of residency.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

Places that don’t take paint (3)

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

Maryland rules

More Maryland rules (8)
Where this information comes from (29)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • Trash and Recycling Drop-Off Hours and Events (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
    • No out-of-county waste is allowed and all residents must provide proof of residency. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Proof of County Residency (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
    • Montgomery County residents may bring material to the Shady Grove Transfer Station and the Poolesville Beauty Spot; proof of county residency is required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • How to recycle / dispose household hazardous waste (opens in new tab) · Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
    • The Household Hazardous Waste program is open to Montgomery County residents with home-generated hazardous waste, with proof of residency. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Paints (oil-based; latex paint is to be disposed of at home per county instructions), paint thinners and solvents are accepted as HHW. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The HHW drop-off is in the Recycling Area of the Transfer Station (Route 355/Frederick Road entrance) and is open during Transfer Station hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Goodwill Donation Centers (opens in new tab) · Goodwill of Greater Washington
    • Goodwill Gaithersburg (South Frederick Ave.) store and donation center is at 619 South Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg MD 20877. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Goodwill Gaithersburg Donation Express (Kentlands Shopping Center) is at 58 Market St., Gaithersburg MD 20878. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Donations Goodwill CANNOT Accept (opens in new tab) · Goodwill of Greater Washington
    • Hazardous materials, paints, tires and batteries are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Hazardous materials, paints, tires and batteries are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bulk Pickup (opens in new tab) · City of Gaithersburg
    • The City provides on-demand bulk collection to single-family homes and townhouses for large items such as heavy electrical appliances and furniture that private trash collectors will not accept. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Paint and paint cans are not collected; paint can go to the Montgomery County Transfer Station. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • No paint or paint cans, latex or oil-based. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare: Maryland paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
    • The sites are open to households, businesses, government agencies and others with leftover paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • There is no charge to drop off paint at a PaintCare site. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • PaintCare sites take house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • PaintCare offers free pickup for 100+ gallons of unwanted paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Annotated Code of Maryland, Environment 9-1733: Paint Stewardship Program (opens in new tab) · Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code of Maryland)
    • By law, a paint collection site in the program plan may not charge an extra fee to take paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • From January 1, 2026 (or 6 months after plan approval), architectural paint may be sold in Maryland only if its producer is in an approved Paint Stewardship Program, and an assessment is added to the price. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The program plan must put a paint collection site within 15 miles of at least 90% of Maryland residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare: Products We Accept (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
    • PaintCare sites do not take aerosol coatings, solvents, or industrial and non-architectural products. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Products must be in original containers of 5 gallons or less, with the maker's label and a secured lid; open or leaking cans are refused. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
    • Maryland is one of the states with a PaintCare program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Annotated Code of Maryland, Environment 9-1701: Definitions (Statewide Recycling; covered electronic devices, architectural paint, white goods) (opens in new tab) · Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code of Maryland)
    • Architectural paint means interior and exterior architectural coatings sold in containers of 5 gallons or less; industrial, original equipment and specialty coatings are excluded. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Annotated Code of Maryland, Environment 9-1801: Household hazardous waste definitions (opens in new tab) · Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code of Maryland)
    • Household hazardous waste may include agricultural chemicals, cleaning agents and solvents, motor oils, paint, pesticides and preservatives. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Paint is listed as a type of household hazardous waste in Maryland law. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MDE: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab) · Maryland Department of the Environment
    • Maryland does not regulate HHW as hazardous waste, and federal law allows HHW in household trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • MDE recommends taking HHW to local HHW collection programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many Maryland counties collect HHW such as mercury, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, herbicides and batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Some counties hold HHW days only once a year; contact your county for the next date and accepted materials. 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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