Reusable quantities of paint can be dropped off to Larimer County’s Hazardous Waste “Drop ‘N’ Swap” Facility. 

Oil-based paints and lacquers should be disposed of as household hazardous waste. This includes enamels, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, stains, epoxy base, sealers, and paints containing heavy metals, such as cadmium or lead.

These paints contain hazardous chemicals which are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

One way to identify paint as latex or oil-based is by reading the cleanup instructions on the can. If water can be used for cleanup, the paint is latex paint. If solvents, such as paint thinner or mineral spirits must be used, the paint is oil-based.