Paint Disposal Options

Empty non-hazardous aerosols:

You can recycle empty aerosol cans that contained a non-hazardous product like: 

• shaving cream
• cooking sprays
• hair spray
• whipped cream, etc.

They can go into your household reycle bin. 

Empty hazardous aerosols:

You can throw away empty aerosol cans that contained hazardous waste including: 

• oil-based paint
• WD-40
• solvent-based products 

Non-Hazardous aerosols that contain product:

You can throw away nonhazardous aerosols that still have some product left.  These include:

• shaving cream
• cooking spray
• hair spray
• whipped cream, etc 

Hazardous aerosols that contain product:

Take aerosol cans that still contain a product considered to be hazardous waste to a hazardous waste site.  These include:

• oil-based paint
• WD-40
• solvent-based products
• other types of paint 

If an aerosol paint container still holds a small amount of paint, empty it on newspaper or a piece of cardboard. Throw away empty cans that once contained hazardous waste.

Aerosol cans are very costly to dispose of through the HHW program. Please consider the amount and type of product when purchasing.

When buying paint, estimate how much you will need for your project.  The average coverage rate is 400 to 450 sq ft per gallon.

Safe Disposal for all Waukesha County Residents:

Dry out the paint. To speed up the drying process you can use:

• paint hardener (available at most hardware stores)
• or add some cat litter to the paint

Throw it away when it is dry. 

Latex paint is not accepted at the county's hazardous waste site.  It is water soluble and not considered a hazardous material.

Waukesha City Drop-Off Site (City of Waukesha Residents Only)
750 Sentry Dr., Waukesha, Wisconsin 53186 
(262) 524-3600 

This is for hazardous waste or paint:

You can throw away empty paint containers if the paint inside is completely hard. 

Do not recycle empty containers that held any type of paint or hazardous waste. Even after rinsing the residue remains in the plastic. 

Do not put empty metal paint cans in the recycle bin. Take them to:

• a metal scrap dealer or 
• metal recycling dumpster at municipal drop off sites.