Omaha Recycling Guide
Latex or Water-Based Paint Cans
Some Restrictions Apply
![PT Empty Paint Can PT Empty Paint Can](https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W100_e0ae78429273310159dfa398ea2ba887.webp 100w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W200_5f28a37dfffeac17d8504dfc1bc3d34b.webp 200w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W300_9d774b89831857b4dfc965837c0ae6fd.webp 300w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W400_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.webp 400w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W500_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.webp 500w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W600_5472332afa344033d2bf9e7b6b9d883e.webp 600w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W700_af599ee76a60a3ffac0b778428c6ae2f.webp 700w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W800_5ae402c9837860cd6e4f65e304b3a5fa.webp 800w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W1200_6c0c164bd2b597ee32b68b8b5755bd2e.webp 1000w)
ACCEPTED: EMPTY and DRY Paint Cans
EMPTY and CLEAN cans that held water-based, latex, or acrylic paints can be placed in a curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container.
- Scrape or rinse out the EMPTY can to remove all residue
- Paint can lids should go in the garbage
- Keep items loose and DO NOT bag
![PT Empty Paint Can PT Empty Paint Can](https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W100_e0ae78429273310159dfa398ea2ba887.webp 100w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W200_5f28a37dfffeac17d8504dfc1bc3d34b.webp 200w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W300_9d774b89831857b4dfc965837c0ae6fd.webp 300w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W400_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.webp 400w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W500_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.webp 500w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W600_5472332afa344033d2bf9e7b6b9d883e.webp 600w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W700_af599ee76a60a3ffac0b778428c6ae2f.webp 700w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W800_5ae402c9837860cd6e4f65e304b3a5fa.webp 800w, https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/assets/transforms/imager/images/23501/PT_EmptyPaintCan_W1200_6c0c164bd2b597ee32b68b8b5755bd2e.webp 1000w)
NOT ACCEPTED: Paint Cans with Contents Inside
- If you have paint or liquid product leftover, the best option is to use up the material for its intended purpose
- DO NOT place paint containers with leftover liquid contents in a City of Omaha curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container
- DO NOT place containers with liquid in a curbside waste or garbage cart. Completely dry out the product before placing it in the garbage
Note: Water-based paint is not considered hazardous. Once the paint is completely dry, it is ok to place a paint container in the garbage.
![PT Latex Paint](https://www.omaharecyclingguide.org/img/PT_LatexPaint.jpg)
Learn More
Latex or water-based paints are easily identified by a label that indicates: "Soap & Water Cleanup."
Partial or full containers with liquid paint contents can be quickly solidified or dried out by stirring in cat litter or oil-dry absorbent into the container. Leave paint containers open for a few days. When solid, they can be disposed of in the garbage (NOT the recycling). Visit UnderTheSink for Proper Paint Disposal instructions.