Macon County Paint Collection Events

Macon County Environmental Management offers periodic collections for household-generated, consumer latex or oil-based paints, stains and varnishes to be scheduled between April – September each year.

Drop-off unwanted liquid paint in its original, labeled container at a paint collection sponsored by Macon County Environmental Management in partnership with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Paint collected in this program is bulked into drums and then transported to a permitted incinerator for disposal.

Household-generated, consumer latex paints, oil-based paints, stains and varnishes in original, labeled containers (pint-sized cans to five-gallon buckets) are accepted at the collections. Due to regulatory directives, no commercial (including paint from landlords and property managers), automobile, epoxy, craft, spray or industrial paint will be accepted. Please dispose of empty paint cans and cans with dry paint by placing the cans with their lids removed in the household trash rather than bringing these items to a collection.

Read Paint Collection FAQs

Please note that the Recycling Center is only open during special collections. Items are not to be dropped off at times when a collection is not in progress.

Properly Dispose of Paint in Macon County, IL

paint cansLike most do-it-yourself home tasks, planning ahead for a paint project can save materials and time. To avoid leftover paint, calculate the amount of paint needed for each project and then only buy enough paint to complete the job. If the paint is leftover after a project, consider either using up the paint by re-coating or properly storing the container for future touch-ups.

For paint that is not suitable for re-coating or saving, proper disposal is the best option. Although empty paint cans and cans with dried paint may be placed in the household trash, it is best to restrict liquids from local landfills.

Dry out latex paint by adding an absorbent like kitty litter or sawdust and then place the dry paint mixture and containers in the trash. Be sure to remove the lids from the containers, so your hauler will know that no liquid paint is in the container.

Spray Paint

Household aerosol paint may be disposed of by following the product’s directions regarding ventilation and flammability and then spraying the contents of the can into a cardboard box. Once the paint is dry, place the empty aerosol cans and treated cardboard in an outdoor trash receptacle for pick up by your hauler. Alternatively, aerosol paints may be managed as a household hazardous waste.

See the Household Hazardous Waste section, for information about the disposal of chemicals such as paint thinner, solvents, harsh cleaners, pesticides, pool chemicals and more.