November 15, 2025
Paint Recycles Day is a paint collection event hosted by Keep Tyler Beautiful and the City of Tyler Solid Wate Department every two years.Thank you to everyone who participated in this event! If you missed Paint Recycles Day or would like more information about how to properly store and dispose of paint, check out our info below.
For more information or to be involved at the next event, you can call (903) 531-1335 or email KTyB@tylertexas.com.
How to Store and Dispose of Paint Properly
EPA considers some leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic as household hazardous waste. Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them.
Paint Storage
Seal It
Seal the paint can properly before you put it away to keep the paint from drying up. If any paint has gotten in the grooves of the paint can, wipe it with a clean rag. Use a rubber mallet to tap the lid down securely. Don't use a hammer because it can dent the lid, making it more difficult to securely seal the can. If you don't have a mallet, you can cover the can with a piece of wood and then hammer the lid closed.
Location
Store paint in a cool, dark location, like a basement. If you do store it in the basement, make sure that it's on a shelf. Moisture from floors can rust your paint cans. If you don't have a basement, place cans in a cabinet or closet in your house. Extreme hot or cold temperatures can ruin paint. Cold weather can cause latex paint to separate, making it unusable. Heat, on the other hand, can dry it out. The combination of very hot temperatures and oil-based paint can even trigger a fire.
Storing paint in the garage is generally not a good idea, especially if you live in a climate with extreme weather conditions. When paint goes through repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, it can become lumpy. If this happens, it's best to simply dispose of the lumpy paint and replace it with new paint.
Save Space
- If you have cans that are half or almost empty, transfer the remaining paint into quart cans or large jars.
- Use labels and a marker to list the brand, paint name, date of purchase, mixture number and the room you painted.
- Place a small dollop of paint on the top or side of the can so you can easily identify the color. If you have more than one color for a room, such as wall color and trim, keep them together.
Reopening a Can
Opening a paint can after it's been sealed for a long time can be difficult. Avoid using a screwdriver to open it. The lid can become warped, and it'll be difficult to seal in the future. Use a key that's specially designed for opening paint cans.
Does Paint Go Bad?
Latex or water-based paint typically has an unopened shelf life of 10 years. Solvent or oil-based paint can last up to 15 years unopened. If paint has been opened, it can last up to 5 years, if stored properly. You can test the paint to see if it's still good by doing the following:
- Latex Paint: First, smell it. If it smells rancid, it's gone bad. Second, check to see if the paint is separated. There will usually be a thin skin on top with a layer of liquid underneath. Remove the skin and use a paint stick to stir the paint. Make sure that the paint isn't hard on the bottom or the sides. If the paint blends together smoothly and appears to be the original color, then it can be used. If you're still unsure, brush some of the paint onto a piece of newspaper. If the paint comes out rough and lumpy, you need to dispose of it.
- Oil-Based Paint: If the paint hasn't been exposed to extreme temperatures and was sealed properly, then it typically isn't as susceptible as latex is to going bad. Just remove the layer of film across the top and stir it well before painting.
Paint Disposal
Paint can be toxic and dangerous to the environment if it's not disposed of properly. If you have the space to store your paint until our next paint collection event or take your paint to a disposal facility. You can search for facilities online, as of May 2023, there are no paint disposal facilities in the Tyler Area. If the paint is still usable, consider donating to your paint to a community center, charity, place of worship, local theater or Habitat for Humanity ReStore. If you are unable to wait, donate or take to a facility, follow the general steps, listed below, for disposing latex and oil-based paint that you no longer need.
Latex Paint
- Dry it Out
- If you have a small amount of paint, it can be set out or poured onto used cardboard or plastic and dried out in the sun. Make sure that it's in a location where small children or pets can't get to it.
- If you have more than half a can, pour an equal amount of cat litter or other drying agent into the can or both the paint and drying agent into a leak-proof box.
- Allow Mixture to Set
- Stir the drying agent into the paint until well combines and allow the mixture to dry. Drying times may vary, but it should take at least one hour.
- Throw it in the Garbage
- Once fully dried, throw the paint and can into the garbage. be sure to remove the lid before throwing it away.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint is considered hazardous waste and must be taken to an appropriate disposal or drop-off center.
Resources
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) | US EPA
You can contact us at ktyb@tylertexas.com to be added to the newsletter or download the Tyler Talks Trash App for info on schedules.