Paint Recycling in Wilmington, NC
New Hanover County residents can bring liquid latex or oil-based paint free to the county HHW facility on Hwy 421 North. Unused new paint can be donated to the Cape Fear Habitat ReStores.
See all 3 optionsChecked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
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.
North Carolina rules
- DEQ notes that paint, thinners and glues make up more than a third of household hazardous waste in household garbage. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DEQ's HHW chart lists paint as flammable, with the disposal advice to let it air dry or mix it with litter, and suggests latex paint and buying only what you need. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
More North Carolina rules (8)
- Temporary HHW collections may route waste for reuse, such as donating paint to Habitat for Humanity. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare runs paint recycling programs only in states with paint stewardship laws. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare's state list (California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington) does not include North Carolina: there is no PaintCare program in North Carolina. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
- Many North Carolina counties have permanent household hazardous waste collection centers. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Counties, cities, school districts and other groups can get a free temporary permit to hold HHW collection events. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Permanent HHW facilities open anywhere from a few days a year to several days a week; check the local solid waste website for dates and hours. Source: NC DEQ: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW Collection Programs Map) (opens in new tab)
- DEQ tells residents to check the local government solid waste website for HHW dates and hours. Source: NC DEQ: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW Collection Programs Map) (opens in new tab)
- Many HHW centers and many auto parts retailers accept used oil. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (16)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · New Hanover County Recycling & Solid Waste
- Residents can bring HHW and electronics to the permanent facility at no cost; businesses and out-of-county residents cannot drop off hazardous chemicals. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Bring ID; materials from out-of-county residents are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Latex and oil-based paint are accepted; solidified paint goes in the trash; commercial painters may bring latex only. Checked October 26, 2026.
- ReStore Shop (opens in new tab) · Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity
- Drop-off donations are accepted at all locations Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
- ReStore Donate (opens in new tab) · Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity
- New paint, stain and thinner are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Frequently Asked Questions (Solid Waste Services) (opens in new tab) · City of Wilmington Solid Waste Services
- The city FAQ sends tires, paints and oils questions to the county HHW drop-off at 3002 US Hwy 421 North, free for county residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
- Many North Carolina counties have permanent household hazardous waste collection centers. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Counties, cities, school districts and other groups can get a free temporary permit to hold HHW collection events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many HHW centers and many auto parts retailers accept used oil. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEQ notes that paint, thinners and glues make up more than a third of household hazardous waste in household garbage. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEQ's HHW chart lists paint as flammable, with the disposal advice to let it air dry or mix it with litter, and suggests latex paint and buying only what you need. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Temporary HHW collections may route waste for reuse, such as donating paint to Habitat for Humanity. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NC DEQ: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW Collection Programs Map) (opens in new tab) · North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
- Permanent HHW facilities open anywhere from a few days a year to several days a week; check the local solid waste website for dates and hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEQ tells residents to check the local government solid waste website for HHW dates and hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
- PaintCare's state list (California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington) does not include North Carolina: there is no PaintCare program in North Carolina. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare runs paint recycling programs only in states with paint stewardship laws. 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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