How to Dispose of Old Paint in Temecula, CA

PaintCare — the easy free option

California's PaintCare program funds free paint recycling at retail drop-off sites. In Temecula, that includes major paint stores and select hardware stores. Bring architectural paint in the original container with a legible label.

• Sherwin-Williams (Temecula)
• Dunn-Edwards Paints (Temecula)
• Vista Paint (Temecula)
• Select Ace Hardware and independent paint retailers — call first to confirm PaintCare participation

What PaintCare accepts

Containers must be no larger than 5 gallons, have original labels, and be closed/sealed. Up to 5 containers per visit at most drop-off sites.

• Interior and exterior latex, acrylic, and enamel paints
• Oil-based paints, stains, sealers, urethanes, shellacs, lacquers
• Primers and undercoats
• Deck coatings, floor paints, driveway sealers

What PaintCare does NOT accept

• Aerosol spray paint — take to HHW
• Paint thinners, solvents, mineral spirits — HHW
• Industrial or automotive coatings
• Empty containers with dried paint residue — trash (latex) or metal recycling
• Leaking, unlabeled, or unidentifiable containers

Dried latex paint

Fully dried latex paint is not hazardous in California and can go in regular trash. To dry small amounts: add kitty litter or paint hardener, stir, and let sit uncovered until solid. Larger quantities still belong in PaintCare — don't try to dry gallons at a time.

What NOT to do

• Never pour paint down a drain, sink, or storm drain
• Never put liquid paint in curbside trash — illegal in California
• Never mix paint types or add solvents
• Never place paint in a rental dumpster

Paint pickup service in Temecula — when drop-off isn't practical

PaintCare drop-off is free but requires you to load and haul the cans. If you have 20+ gallons, an estate or garage cleanout with mixed paint, or physical constraints that make a store trip unrealistic, PaintCare's Large Volume Pickup program will schedule a free at-home pickup for architectural paint (usually 100+ gallons). For smaller mixed loads — a few gallons of paint alongside other junk — NexaCleanouts routes the paint to PaintCare during a Temecula cleanout, so you don't make a separate trip. We can't legally charge to haul paint on its own, but we can coordinate it with any garage, estate, or move-out job.