Paint Collection Days
Paint Collection Days are held at Needham’s Recycling and Transfer Station (RTS), 1421 Central Avenue, on the third Saturday of each month, April through October from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
2022 October Paint Day collection--October 15th, 2022
Please note the Re-Use-It Swap Shop will be closed on these collection days. No drop-offs will be accepted.
Residents that do not have an RTS sticker may attend the October Paint Collection Day only. All other paint collection days are open to RTS subscribers only.
Many paint and related products are not hazardous and can safely be disposed of with regular household trash. Please read the information below before bringing materials to a paint collection day.
View the Surplus Paint Collection Day Flier (PDF).
2022 Schedule for Paint Collection Days
- April 16
- May 21
- June 18
- July 16
- August 20
- September 17
- October 15
How to Properly Dispose of Unwanted Paint
Latex Paint
Latex paint is not a hazardous material; it is just a messy product. Residents are encouraged to dry out unwanted latex paint and dispose of it with regular trash . It costs tax payers approximately $2 to dispose of each gallon can brought to the paint collection.
To dispose of latex paint:
- For empty cans and cans with dried paint - dispose of with regular trash
- For small quantities of latex paint - leave off the lid and let dry out, then dispose of with regular trash
- For larger quantities of latex paint - add "latex waste paint hardener" available at paint and hardware stores, then dispose of with your regular trash. It takes only about a quarter cup of hardener added to a gallon of latex paint to dry the entire can in just a few minutes.
- For large quantity of good, usable latex paint - bring to paint collection day for sharing in the surplus paint shed.
Oil & Alkyd Paints, Stains, Polyurethanes
Oil-based paints and stains contain volatile chemicals that are combustible and are not good for the environment. Oil and alkyd paints and stains that are in a liquid form should not be disposed of with regular trash. It costs tax payers approximately $2 to dispose of each gallon can brought to the paint collection.
To dispose of Oil- and Alkyd based paints and stains:
- For empty cans and cans with dried paint, dispose of with regular trash
- For very small quantities of oil and alkyd-based paints and stains, leave off the lid and let dry out then dispose of with regular trash.
- For larger quantities of oil- and alkyd-based paints and stains, bring to paint collection days
Paint Thinner, Remover, Turpentine, Mineral Spirits, etc.
- Partial cans of unused product in original container - bring to paint collection days
- Used product and product not in original container - take to Household Hazardous Waste Day
Never dispose of significant quantities of liquid oil- or alkyd- paints or stains with regular trash.
Rules & Guidelines for Paint Collection Days
- The RTS will accept latex paints, oil/alkyd paints, paint thinners, stains, varnishes, polyurethane lacquers, enamels, linseed oil, and turpentine.
- All surplus paint must be in original container with label identification.
- This collection is for Needham residents only, with a current RTS disposal sticker.
- No materials will be accepted from Commercial operations.
- No wood preservatives, creosote, wood bleach, pesticide, ISO cyanate’s (two-part paint), non-paint related products, oxidizers, corrosives. No hazardous materials (take to annual hazardous waste day).