Paint Recycling in Elizabeth, NJ

Elizabeth does not take paint; oil-based paint goes to Union County's household hazardous waste days, and latex paint can be dried out and trashed.

See all 2 options

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

2 ways to get rid of a paint in Elizabeth

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · ElizabethNo 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 →
Union County Household Hazardous Waste drop-off eventsCounty service · Union CountyUnion County residentsConditions applyFree
How it works
Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning drive-up household hazardous waste events, held several times a year (2026: April 25 and October 25 at UC VoTech, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains; June 7 at UCNJ, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford; August 8 at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union), 9 a.m.–2 p.m., rain or shine. Accepts oil-based paint, batteries (no alkaline), automobile tires (8 per household, no rims) and other household chemicals. Latex paint is not accepted. Hotline 908-654-9889.
Cost & rules
- Oil-based paint and varnish only. Latex (water-based) paint is not accepted; dry it out and put it in the trash.
- Held on set dates a few times a year.
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

New Jersey rules

PaintCare says it operates in twelve states and DC (California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington); New Jersey is not one of them. Source: PaintCare: PaintCare States (opens in new tab)
New Jersey has a pending paint stewardship bill, S666 (Architectural Paint Stewardship Act), pre-filed for the 2026 session; it is a bill, not law. Source: NJ Senate Bill S666 (2026 session): Architectural Paint Stewardship Act (introduced text) (opens in new tab)

More New Jersey rules (5)

Under the Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act (P.L.1987, c.102, as amended), each county adopts a district recycling plan to implement the State Recycling Plan goals. Source: P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab)
Each county plan designates the materials every municipality must source separate: leaves plus at least three other recyclable materials. The statute does not name a fixed statewide list beyond leaves. Source: P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab)
Municipalities adopt recycling ordinances under the county plan and may limit collection of designated recyclables to set hours. Source: P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab)
Statutory targets: recycle at least 50% of the municipal solid waste stream and 60% of the total solid waste stream (by 1995). Source: P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab)
The Dry Cell Battery Management Act requires counties to include used dry cell battery collection in their existing household hazardous waste collection programs. Source: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.60 Dry Cell Battery Management Act: findings, declarations (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (12)

Where this information comes from

Call before you go

Union County: Household Hazardous Waste (2026 schedule) (opens in new tab) · County of Union
- Union County holds household hazardous waste drop-off events in 2026 on April 25 and October 25 (UC VoTech, Scotch Plains), June 7 (UCNJ, Cranford) and August 8 (Kean University, Union), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Union County HHW events accept oil-based paints and varnishes; latex (water-based) paint is not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County press release: July dates announced for free recycling program for residents (June 24, 2026) (opens in new tab) · County of Union
- Union County describes its seasonal recycling events, including HHW and scrap metal, as a free recycling program for residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County: Leftover Latex Paint (opens in new tab) · County of Union
- Union County has no latex paint recycling program; dried latex paint goes in household trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
City of Elizabeth 2026 Garbage & Recycling Brochure & Calendar (opens in new tab) · City of Elizabeth Department of Public Works, Recycling Division
- Elizabeth sends hazardous products such as paints to Union County Special Hazardous Days (info 908-654-9890). Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature
- Under the Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act (P.L.1987, c.102, as amended), each county adopts a district recycling plan to implement the State Recycling Plan goals. Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
- Each county plan designates the materials every municipality must source separate: leaves plus at least three other recyclable materials. The statute does not name a fixed statewide list beyond leaves. Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
- Municipalities adopt recycling ordinances under the county plan and may limit collection of designated recyclables to set hours. Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
- Statutory targets: recycle at least 50% of the municipal solid waste stream and 60% of the total solid waste stream (by 1995). Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.60 Dry Cell Battery Management Act: findings, declarations (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature (Office of Legislative Services)
- The Dry Cell Battery Management Act requires counties to include used dry cell battery collection in their existing household hazardous waste collection programs. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
PaintCare: PaintCare States (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
- PaintCare says it operates in twelve states and DC (California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington); New Jersey is not one of them. Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
NJ Senate Bill S666 (2026 session): Architectural Paint Stewardship Act (introduced text) (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature
- New Jersey has a pending paint stewardship bill, S666 (Architectural Paint Stewardship Act), pre-filed for the 2026 session; it is a bill, not law. Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).

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

Why this page isn’t in search results yet

Not editorially approved.
Not approved for indexing.

How we check our information