This event is being conducted in partnership with Howard University, Office of Sustainability.

District Households & Businesses Only

Only households and businesses located in the District of Columbia may drop off paint at this event. Proof of District residency required.

For households, there are no limits on the amount of house paint, stain or varnish dropped off. There are limits on oil-based paint for some businesses. See guidelines below.

Guidelines for Products Accepted at Event

Most house paint, stains, and varnishes (clear finishes) are accepted (Complete list of accepted products is below.)
Latex (water-based) and oil-based products are accepted
No limits on amount of product from households (Businesses should see guidelines below.)
Containers must be 5 gallons in size or smaller and have secure lids and original labels
Leaking or empty containers are not accepted (Check with your recycling or waste services provider for guidance on disposing of empty cans.)
Aerosol paint (spray cans) is not accepted

List of Products Accepted

Products like paint thinners, mineral spirits, solvents, areosol paints (spray cans), auto and marine paints, and art and craft paints will not be accepted. Only the products listed below will be accepted.

Interior and exterior architectural paints: latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, enamel (including textured coatings)
Deck coatings, floor paints (including elastomeric)
Primers, sealers, undercoaters
Stains
Shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, urethanes (single component)
Waterproofing concrete/masonry/wood sealers and repellents (not tar or bitumen-based)
Metal coatings, rust preventatives
Field and lawn paints

Guidelines for Businesses

Businesses that generate less than 220 pounds (about 20-30 gallons) of hazardous waste per month may bring any amount of latex or oil-based paint. Businesses that generate more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month may bring any amount of latex paint, but oil-based paint will not be accepted. When counting how much hazardous waste you generate in a month, oil-based paint counts (because by law it is a hazardous waste), but latex and other water-based paint does not count toward the 220 pound monthly total.

Questions

If you have questions about this event, e-mail Ida Arabshahi at iarabshahi@paint.org.

Paint Drop-Off Event at Howard University School of Law