The Household Hazardous Waste Facility at the Solid Waste Facility no longer accepts latex paint.
Any oil-based paints and stains should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
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Paints labeled as "latex paint" are not hazardous and can be thrown away with your regular household garbage IF it is completely dry - to the bottom of the can.
If not completely dry, it can leak from a garbage truck and ruin vehicles and/or private property.
Be sure your paint is COMPLETELY dry before including in your regular garbage.
DO NOT POUR PAINT DOWN A HOUSEHOLD OR STORM DRAIN.
How to dry latex paint for disposal in
household garbage?
• Removing the lid from the can and placing in a
dry place will allow the paint to eventually dry out.
• After a few days, only the surface of the paint
will be firm and dry to the touch - if you press
harder you will notice the bottom is still liquid or
gloppy paint. It may take a very long time to air-dry your paint, depending on the quantity in the can.
• If you feel comfortable holding the can of paint
upside down, then it is dry enough to throw away
in your garbage.
To expedite the latex paint drying process:
• A thin layer of paint will dry much faster. Pour
paint into a secure container with a larger surface
area than the paint can.
• Place container of paint outside on a sunny
day to help speed up the drying process.
• Adding on absorbent such as kitty litter, wood
chips, saw dust, mulch, etc. is another way to
quickly dry the paint.
Getting rid of paint cans:
• When the paint is dry, double bag the container
and any absorbing material and throw it out with
the regular garbage.
• Only latex paint will dry. Oil based paint and stain
have to be taken to the Household Hazardous
Waste Management Facility located at
1033 Elm Street.
• If you take dried paint cans to a Knox County
Convenience Center make sure you bring the
paint cans without the lids, allow the operator to
inspect them, then you can place them in the
bulky brown compactor.
• If you have curbside garbage pick-up in the
City of Knoxville, put the dried paint cans inside
household garbage bags in the City issued
garbage cart.
Click here to view this information in a printable PDF file.