Leftover paint isn’t just a waste of money, it can also be hazardous to the environment. Most major cities have straightforward guidelines for dropping off unused paint for recycling, but even better, some cities will also give away that recycled paint for free.


A redditor suggested this tip, writing:

I live in a city with a paint recycling program. People drop off their paint and it gets redistributed in 5 gallon buckets on a first come first serve basis. You just have to show your water bill and ID. Obviously color selection will be limited, but if you’re on a budget and not super picky about colors, it can save you a lot of money.


It’s not available in every city, but the Live Well Network confirms. In Houston, for example, residents can visit the city’s Environmental Service Center on Fridays from 9am-12pm and pick up recycled paint at no charge (first come first serve). Other cities have certain income guidelines or restrict you from using the paint on interiors (like Mesa’s paint program). Here are a few other cities that participate in similar programs:

If you’re looking to cut costs, it’s worth checking with your city to see if they offer a similar program. For more detail, check out Live Well’s post at the link below.

Recycle Programs Offer Free Paint | Live Well Network

Photo by Scott Lewis.