Almost every garage in the city has a shelf of half-used paint cans. Some are years old. Most will never be opened again.
Paint disposal Calgary residents deal with is free through a provincial recycling program. What you cannot do is put it in the garbage, pour it down the drain, or drop it in a rental bin.
Rules differ between fully empty cans, cans with dried-up paint, and cans with liquid paint still inside. Liquid paint always goes to a hazardous waste drop-off.
Completely empty and dry metal cans are often treated as scrap metal instead. If you are not sure which category yours falls into, a quick call to the depot settles it and saves a wasted trip.
If you are clearing a whole garage, separate the paint and chemicals first. Set them aside for a free depot run and let a bin handle everything else — the broken shelving, old tools, scrap wood and general clutter.
Keeping the paint out of the bin keeps your load clean and avoids any chance of a rejected load or extra fee.
Programs and accepted items change from time to time. Confirm the current City of Calgary rules before you rely on any of the above.
Most people do not make a special trip the day they decide to clear the shelf. A few weeks of sensible storage makes the eventual drop-off easier and safer.
This is one of the most common finds when clearing a newly bought home. Before it all goes to the depot, check two things.
Does any of it match your walls? Sellers often leave touch-up paint for the actual rooms. That is worth keeping for a year, even if you plan to repaint eventually.
Is anything unopened and current? Unopened paint in good condition can go to a neighbour, a community group or a reuse program rather than being processed.
Everything else goes to the free drop-off. Paint disposal Calgary homeowners inherit this way is usually a single car load.
The cheapest paint to dispose of is the paint you never bought. Two habits cut the pile down:
City of Calgary household hazardous waste drop-offs and Eco Centres take paint free of charge. Some paint retailers also run take-back programs.
Yes. Household paint is accepted free at City hazardous waste drop-offs and Eco Centres.
No. Paint is hazardous waste and cannot go in a bin. Set it aside for a free depot and let the bin handle everything else.
No. It reaches the water system. Pouring it on the ground is just as bad. Take it to a free drop-off instead.
Completely empty, dry metal cans are often accepted as scrap metal. Cans with liquid paint always go to hazardous waste. Check locally if you are unsure.
Separate the paint and chemicals for a free depot run, then use a bin for the shelving, tools and general clutter.
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