Paint Recycling in Columbia, SC

Paint is not collected curbside in Columbia. Latex paint (up to 5 gallons) goes to the Richland County Caughman Road drop-off; oil-based paint goes to city/county hazardous waste events.

See all 2 options

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

2 ways to get rid of a paint in Columbia

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · ColumbiaNo 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 →
Richland County C&D Landfill Drop-Off Center (Caughman Road)County service · Richland CountyRichland County residentsConditions applyFree
How it works
Richland County resident drop-off at the C&D Landfill, 1070 Caughman Road North, Columbia, SC 29203 (outside Columbia city limits, unincorporated Richland County per the Census geocoder). Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 803-576-2390. Free for residents with proof of residency (primary residence, up to four visits a month); the only county site for mattresses.
Cost & rules
- Proof of residency; primary residence only; up to four visits a month.
- Latex paint only; oil-based paint, stains and solvents go to county hazardous materials events.
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

South Carolina rules

Some county programs accept latex paint from residents through permanent collection or one-day events. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
Dry (solidified) latex paint may go in household trash; air-dry small amounts or mix larger amounts with clay cat litter or paint hardener. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)

More South Carolina rules (8)

For larger amounts, mix in an equal amount of clay-based cat litter until thick. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
Usable paint in a reasonable quantity can be donated to a community service organization, school or theater group. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
Oil-based paint should go to a household hazardous waste program or event. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (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 South Carolina: there is no PaintCare program in South Carolina. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
Some county programs accept household hazardous waste, either through regular collection or single-day events; check RecycleHereSC. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
Do not pour household hazardous products down the drain, on the ground or into a storm sewer. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
SCDES asks residents to use only the drop-off locations of their own county of residence. Source: SCDES: Where to Recycle (county recycling locations) (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (15)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Drop-Off Centers (opens in new tab) · Richland County
- Richland County drop-off and recycling centers are free for residents; commercial customers pay fees. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Proof of residency is required; items must come from your primary residence, no more than four visits a month. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Also accepted: scrap metal, automobile tires (limit 5) and latex paint (limit 5 gallons). Checked October 26, 2026.
Know Where It Goes (opens in new tab) · Richland County
- Oil-based paint, stains and solvents go to county hazardous materials collection events, not the drop-off centers. Checked October 26, 2026.
Waste Wizard: Paint cans (full or partially full) (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Solid Waste (Waste Wizard, ReCollect)
- Columbia Waste Wizard: paint is not collected curbside; residents use household hazardous waste events held by the city and Richland County. Checked October 26, 2026.
SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
- Some county programs accept household hazardous waste, either through regular collection or single-day events; check RecycleHereSC. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Do not pour household hazardous products down the drain, on the ground or into a storm sewer. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Some county programs accept latex paint from residents through permanent collection or one-day events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Dry (solidified) latex paint may go in household trash; air-dry small amounts or mix larger amounts with clay cat litter or paint hardener. Checked October 26, 2026.
- For larger amounts, mix in an equal amount of clay-based cat litter until thick. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Usable paint in a reasonable quantity can be donated to a community service organization, school or theater group. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oil-based paint should go to a household hazardous waste program or event. Checked October 26, 2026.
SCDES: Where to Recycle (county recycling locations) (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
- SCDES asks residents to use only the drop-off locations of their own county of residence. 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 South Carolina: there is no PaintCare program in South 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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