Paint Collection Days
Paint Collection Days are held at Needham’s Recycling and Transfer Station (RTS), 1421 Central Avenue, on the third Saturday of each month, April through October from 8:00am - 3:30pm
- Please note the Re-Use-It Swap Shop will be closed on these collection days. No drop-offs will be accepted.
- Residents that do not have an RTS sticker may attend the October Paint Collection Day only. All other paint collection days are open to RTS subscribers only.
- Many paint and related products are not hazardous and can safely be disposed of with regular household trash. Please read the information below before bringing materials to a paint collection day.
View the Surplus Paint Collection Day Flier (PDF).
2023 Schedule for Paint Collection Days
- April 15
- May 20
- June 17
- July 15
- August 19
- September 16
- October 21
How to Properly Dispose of Unwanted Paint
Latex Paint
Latex paint is not a hazardous material; it is just a messy product. Residents are encouraged to dry out unwanted latex paint and dispose of it with regular trash . It costs tax payers approximately $2 to dispose of each gallon can brought to the paint collection.
To dispose of latex paint:
- For empty cans and cans with dried paint - dispose of with regular trash
- For small quantities of latex paint - leave off the lid and let dry out, then dispose of with regular trash
- For larger quantities of latex paint - add "latex waste paint hardener" available at paint and hardware stores, then dispose of with your regular trash. It takes only about a quarter cup of hardener added to a gallon of latex paint to dry the entire can in just a few minutes.
- For large quantity of good, usable latex paint - bring to paint collection day for sharing in the surplus paint shed.
Oil & Alkyd Paints, Stains, Polyurethanes
Oil-based paints and stains contain volatile chemicals that are combustible and are not good for the environment. Oil and alkyd paints and stains that are in a liquid form should not be disposed of with regular trash. It costs tax payers approximately $2 to dispose of each gallon can brought to the paint collection.
To dispose of Oil- and Alkyd based paints and stains:
- For empty cans and cans with dried paint, dispose of with regular trash
- For very small quantities of oil and alkyd-based paints and stains, leave off the lid and let dry out then dispose of with regular trash.
- For larger quantities of oil- and alkyd-based paints and stains, bring to paint collection days
Paint Thinner, Remover, Turpentine, Mineral Spirits, etc.
- Partial cans of unused product in original container - bring to paint collection days
- Used product and product not in original container - take to Household Hazardous Waste Day
Never dispose of significant quantities of liquid oil- or alkyd- paints or stains with regular trash.
Rules & Guidelines for Paint Collection Days
- The RTS will accept latex paints, oil/alkyd paints, paint thinners, stains, varnishes, polyurethane lacquers, enamels, linseed oil, and turpentine.
- All surplus paint must be in original container with label identification.
- This collection is for Needham residents only, with a current RTS disposal sticker.
- No materials will be accepted from Commercial operations.
- No wood preservatives, creosote, wood bleach, pesticide, ISO cyanate’s (two-part paint), non-paint related products, oxidizers, corrosives. No hazardous materials (take to annual hazardous waste day).