Paint Recycling in Columbus, OH

SWACO's HHW facility on E. 8th Avenue takes oil-based paint free; latex paint costs about $1 a gallon there. The Jackson Pike center also accepts latex and oil-based paint.

See all 3 options

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

3 ways to get rid of a paint in Columbus

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · ColumbusNo 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 →
SWACO Household Hazardous Waste Facility (EEI)Drop-off · 645 E. 8th Avenue, ColumbusFranklin County residentsConditions applyFree
Where
645 E. 8th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Hours
Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; first Saturday of the month 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed holidays
Cost & rules
Paint
Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
Fees for paint
Latex or water-based paint through EEI (typical) $1.00
Oil-based paint, spray paint and stains are free. Latex and water-based paint is not part of the free program; EEI takes it for a fee (typically $1.00 per gallon).
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
SWACO Recycling Convenience Center (Jackson Pike)County service · Franklin CountyFranklin County residentsCost not listed
How it works
Drop-off center for Franklin County residents at 2566 Jackson Pike, Columbus, OH 43223 (no Census geocoder match, so recorded as a county program). Open Mon-Fri 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Takes recyclables, electronics, appliances including freon units, batteries, paint, tires and scrap metal; fees apply to tires and TVs.
Cost & rules
- 2566 Jackson Pike; Mon-Fri 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Official page (opens in new tab)

Fees for paint
Latex or water-based paint through EEI (typical)	$1.00

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

Ohio rules

Ohio EPA: latex paint can be dried out (with paint hardener, cat litter or sawdust) and put in the trash; let your hauler verify it is not liquid. Source: Ohio EPA: Dispose of Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Ohio EPA: leave the lid off dried latex paint so your trash hauler can verify it is not liquid. Source: Ohio EPA: Dispose of Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)

More Ohio rules (13)

PaintCare operates in twelve states and the District of Columbia; Ohio is not one of them. Source: PaintCare: PaintCare States (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)
For businesses, paint and paint-related wastes (and antifreeze) are Ohio-specific universal wastes. Source: Ohio EPA DERR: Universal Waste (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 Ohio: there is no PaintCare program in Ohio. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
ORC 3734.65: mercury-containing thermostats may not be sold or installed in Ohio, except in a visually impaired person's home or for manufacturing process control. Source: Ohio Revised Code 3734.65: Sale or installation of mercury-containing thermostat (opens in new tab)
Ohio EPA: household lamps are not regulated as hazardous waste, but homeowners are encouraged to recycle them; Home Depot and Lowe's take compact fluorescent bulbs free at all stores. Source: Ohio EPA: Dispose of Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Ohio EPA: household hazardous waste disposal is usually controlled by the local or county solid waste management district; contact your district for facilities that accept it. Source: Ohio EPA: Dispose of Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Ohio EPA oversees 52 solid waste management districts responsible for making sure Ohioans can reduce, reuse and recycle. Source: Ohio EPA DMWM: Solid Waste Management Planning (opens in new tab)
Every Ohio county must belong to a solid waste management district, alone or jointly with other counties. Source: Ohio EPA DMWM: FAQs (opens in new tab)
Ohio EPA: your local solid waste management district is your first source of disposal and recycling information. Source: Ohio EPA DMWM: FAQs (opens in new tab)
Ohio's 88 counties are organized into 52 solid waste management districts and authorities. Source: Ohio EPA DMWM Guidance/Fact Sheet 1005: Solid Waste Management Districts (PDF, June 2017) (opens in new tab)
Ohio EPA: district collection events (HHW, electronics, tires, appliances) are usually for district residents only, may charge fees or require appointments, and are for household materials only. Source: Ohio EPA: Special Collection Events by Solid Waste Management District (PDF, updated December 2021) (opens in new tab)
Ohio's state disposal and environmental protection fee is $4.75 per ton of solid waste. Source: Ohio EPA DMWM: FAQs (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (26)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO)
- SWACO contracts with EEI to offer free residential recycling of household hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
- SWACO provides HHW disposal for all Franklin County residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The program is not offered to businesses. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oil-based paint, spray paint, stains and thinners are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Latex and other water-based paints are not part of the free HHW program; they can be disposed of for a fee through EEI (typically $1.00 per gallon). Checked October 26, 2026.
- Most items are free except latex and other water-based paints. Checked October 26, 2026.
Recycling Convenience Center (opens in new tab) · Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO)
- The Recycling Convenience Center is at 2566 Jackson Pike, Columbus, OH 43223. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Open Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The center is for Franklin County residents only and some items carry fees. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Latex-based, oil-based and spray paint are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers (opens in new tab) · City of Columbus Division of Refuse Collection
- Columbus tells residents to take household hazardous waste to the SWACO facility at 645 E. 8th Ave. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ohio Revised Code 3734.65: Sale or installation of mercury-containing thermostat (opens in new tab) · Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Laws)
- ORC 3734.65: mercury-containing thermostats may not be sold or installed in Ohio, except in a visually impaired person's home or for manufacturing process control. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ohio EPA: Dispose of Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
- Ohio EPA: household lamps are not regulated as hazardous waste, but homeowners are encouraged to recycle them; Home Depot and Lowe's take compact fluorescent bulbs free at all stores. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Ohio EPA: latex paint can be dried out (with paint hardener, cat litter or sawdust) and put in the trash; let your hauler verify it is not liquid. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Ohio EPA: leave the lid off dried latex paint so your trash hauler can verify it is not liquid. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Ohio EPA: household hazardous waste disposal is usually controlled by the local or county solid waste management district; contact your district for facilities that accept it. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ohio EPA DERR: Universal Waste (opens in new tab) · Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
- For businesses, paint and paint-related wastes (and antifreeze) are Ohio-specific universal wastes. 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 Ohio: there is no PaintCare program in Ohio. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PaintCare runs paint recycling programs only in states with paint stewardship laws. Checked October 26, 2026.
PaintCare: PaintCare States (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
- PaintCare operates in twelve states and the District of Columbia; Ohio is not one of them. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ohio EPA DMWM: Solid Waste Management Planning (opens in new tab) · Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
- Ohio EPA oversees 52 solid waste management districts responsible for making sure Ohioans can reduce, reuse and recycle. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ohio EPA DMWM: FAQs (opens in new tab) · Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
- Every Ohio county must belong to a solid waste management district, alone or jointly with other counties. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Ohio EPA: your local solid waste management district is your first source of disposal and recycling information. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Ohio's state disposal and environmental protection fee is $4.75 per ton of solid waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ohio EPA DMWM Guidance/Fact Sheet 1005: Solid Waste Management Districts (PDF, June 2017) (opens in new tab) · Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
- Ohio's 88 counties are organized into 52 solid waste management districts and authorities. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ohio EPA: Special Collection Events by Solid Waste Management District (PDF, updated December 2021) (opens in new tab) · Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
- Ohio EPA: district collection events (HHW, electronics, tires, appliances) are usually for district residents only, may charge fees or require appointments, and are for household materials only. 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