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Old paint cans piling up in your garage? This local guide explains exactly where to dispose of latex and oil-based paint in Jacksonville and Duval County, including which types can go in a dumpster.
Where to Dispose of Old Paint in Jacksonville FL
If you have ever opened your garage, shed, or storage closet and found a collection of half-used paint cans from projects going back years, you are not alone. Old paint is one of the most common household items that people struggle to get rid of. You know you should not just throw it in the regular trash, but you are not sure where it actually goes. In Jacksonville and Duval County, the answer depends on what type of paint you have and how much is left in the can.
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The Two Types of Paint and Why It Matters
All paint falls into one of two categories, and the disposal rules are completely different for each:
Latex (Water-Based) Paint
Latex paint is the most common type found in homes. It is used for interior walls, ceilings, trim, and most exterior applications. Latex paint is water-based, which means it cleans up with water and is not classified as hazardous waste.
The key distinction: Dried latex paint is not hazardous and can go in regular trash. Liquid latex paint should not be poured down drains or placed in dumpsters in liquid form.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint, also called alkyd paint, contains solvents that make it a hazardous material. This includes oil-based stains, varnishes, polyurethanes, and some primers. Oil-based paint is more common in older homes and for specialty applications like metal surfaces and exterior trim.
Oil-based paint is classified as household hazardous waste and must be disposed of through proper channels. It cannot go in regular trash, curbside bins, or dumpsters under any circumstances.
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Where to Take Old Paint in Jacksonville
Duval County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
The primary disposal location for paint in Jacksonville is the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility operated by the City of Jacksonville:
Address: 2675 Commonwealth Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254
This facility accepts both latex and oil-based paint from Duval County residents at no charge. You can bring paint cans, stains, varnishes, solvents, and related products during their operating hours. No appointment is necessary for residential quantities.
What to bring: Paint cans with lids secured. If cans are rusted or damaged, place them inside a plastic bag or bucket to prevent spills during transport. Keep latex and oil-based paints separate if possible.
Duval County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
Throughout the year, the City of Jacksonville hosts periodic hazardous waste collection events at various locations around the county. These are especially convenient for residents who live far from the Commonwealth Avenue facility. Check the City of Jacksonville Solid Waste Division website or call 630-CITY for the schedule of upcoming events.
Retail Paint Recycling Programs
Some paint retailers in Jacksonville accept leftover paint for recycling:
Can You Throw Paint Cans in a Dumpster?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive, and the answer has important nuances:
Empty or dried paint cans: Yes. If the paint can is completely empty or the paint inside is fully dried and hardened, the can itself can go in a dumpster. Metal paint cans and plastic paint buckets are accepted as general waste when they contain no liquid paint.
Cans with dried residue: Yes. A thin layer of dried paint coating the inside of a can is fine. The can does not need to be spotlessly clean.
Cans with liquid latex paint: No. Liquid paint, even water-based latex, should not be placed in a dumpster. It can leak, create a mess, and contaminate other waste.
Cans with liquid oil-based paint: Absolutely not. Oil-based paint is hazardous waste and must never go in a dumpster, curbside bin, or regular trash regardless of the amount.
For a complete guide to prohibited dumpster items, read our post on what cannot go in a dumpster.
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How to Dry Out Latex Paint for Disposal
If you have latex paint that you want to dispose of in your regular trash or dumpster, the simplest approach is to dry it out first. Here are methods that work well in Jacksonville's climate:
For small amounts (less than a quarter of a can): Remove the lid and let the paint air-dry. In Jacksonville's heat and humidity, a thin layer of latex paint dries within a few days. Once it is completely solid, the can goes in the trash or dumpster.
For larger amounts (half a can or more): Mix in an absorbent material like cat litter, sawdust, or shredded newspaper. Stir it in, leave the lid off, and let it dry. The absorbent material speeds up the drying process significantly. A half-full gallon can mixed with cat litter will typically dry within a week.
For multiple cans: Combine partially full cans of the same type and color into one container to reduce the number of cans you need to deal with. Then dry out the combined paint using the absorbent method.
Jacksonville summer shortcut: During the warmer months, set open paint cans in direct sunlight on your driveway or patio. The intense Florida sun can dry a thin layer of latex paint in hours rather than days.
Paint Disposal During Home Renovation Projects
Paint disposal comes up frequently during home renovation and cleanout projects. If you are doing a kitchen renovation, garage cleanout, or whole-house renovation, you will likely encounter old paint that previous owners left behind.
During major cleanout and renovation projects, consider these steps:
Dumpster Sizes for Your Project
Other Hazardous Household Items and Where They Go
While you are dealing with old paint, you may discover other hazardous materials that also need proper disposal. The Duval County HHW Facility also accepts:
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Paint Disposal for Commercial Projects
If you are a contractor or business generating larger quantities of paint waste in Jacksonville, the disposal rules are different from residential. Commercial paint waste may require manifested hazardous waste pickup through a licensed hauler. Contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or a commercial waste management company for guidance on commercial quantities.
For the non-paint waste from your commercial projects, we offer commercial dumpster rentals with the same flat-rate pricing and reliable service throughout Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Orange Park, and all of Northeast Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Duval County Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2675 Commonwealth Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254 accepts both latex and oil-based paint from county residents at no charge. You can also dry out latex paint and dispose of the hardened cans in regular trash or a dumpster.
Empty paint cans and cans with fully dried paint can go in a dumpster. Liquid paint, whether latex or oil-based, should not be placed in a dumpster. Dry out latex paint with cat litter before disposal. Oil-based paint must go to the HHW facility.
No. Latex (water-based) paint is not classified as hazardous waste. However, liquid latex paint should still be properly dried before disposal to prevent leaking in landfills. Once dried, latex paint cans can go in regular trash.
Check the label. If the cleanup instructions say "clean up with water," it is latex. If they say "clean up with mineral spirits or paint thinner," it is oil-based. You can also dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and rub it on a dry paint surface: if the paint softens or comes off, it is latex.
No. Even latex paint should not be poured down drains. It can clog pipes and contaminate the water treatment system. Oil-based paint contains solvents that are harmful to waterways and the sewer system. Always dispose of paint through proper channels.
For major renovation projects that generate multiple gallons of old paint, schedule a trip to the HHW facility for oil-based products and dry out latex paint in batches. If you are also clearing out other renovation debris, a dumpster rental handles everything else while you deal with the paint separately.
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