Paint Recycling - Illinois

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Recycle Your Leftover Paint — Now at R.P. Lumber

A free & eco-friendly way to dispose of unused paint

Starting December 1, 2025, Illinois residents and businesses finally have an easy, year-round option to recycle leftover paint, stains, varnishes and sealers — and R.P. Lumber is proud to be one of the drop-off locations participating in the program.

Whether you're a homeowner cleaning out the garage after a renovation or a contractor with extra paint from a job, bring your unwanted cans to your local R.P. Lumber and we'll help you recycle responsibly — at no cost to you.

Employee receiving a can of recycled paint from a customer. Download flyer (PDF)

Accepted Paint & Coatings

Three images of paint, measuring, and painting a wall.
At R.P. Lumber, we accept for recycling the same types of architectural coatings recognized by the statewide program, including:
  • Interior and exterior latex- or oil-based paints
  • Primers, sealers, undercoaters
  • Stains, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, single-component urethanes
  • Deck and floor coatings (including elastomeric), sealers and repellents
  • Rust-preventative metal coatings
Not Accepted
  • Aerosol paint cans
  • Thinners, solvents, adhesives
  • Auto, marine, or craft paints
Important: Paint must be in its original container with its original manufacturer’s label. We cannot accept leaking, unlabeled, or empty containers.

How It Works

  1. Bring your leftover paint (up to 5 gallons — some locations may accept more) to any participating R.P. Lumber store during normal business hours.
  2. No fees, no appointments — just drop it off. The entire recycling effort is funded through a small “paint stewardship fee” added to the purchase of new paint, so there is no cost to you.
  3. For larger collections (e.g., a job site cleanup with 100+ gallons), businesses or organizations may request a free pickup.
  4. We'll handle the rest: collected paint is either reused, remixed into recycled-content paint, or processed/recycled in an environmentally sound manner.

Why It Matters

  1. It's easy. With over 250 drop-off sites statewide, including R.P. Lumber, recycling leftover paint has never been more convenient.
  2. It's responsible. The program — run by PaintCare and backed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency — ensures leftover paint is managed safely and sustainably instead of sent to landfills.
  3. I's free. Unlike hazardous-waste disposal events or special collection days, you can drop off paint any time during store hours with no charge.
  4. It benefits everyone. By recycling paint, you help reduce waste, preserve the environment, and free up space at home or on the job site.

Visit R.P. Lumber — Your Local Paint Drop-Off Site

Stop by your nearest R.P. Lumber location during regular hours to recycle leftover paint safely and responsibly. Questions? Contact us or check the official paint recycling program locator at paintcare.org to confirm what materials are accepted.

Thank you for helping us build a cleaner, greener Illinois — one drop-off at a time.

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