RECYCLE AT HOME = NO
Old paint tins and left-over paint cannot be recycled using your council’s recycling collection service.
RECYCLE OUT OF HOME = YES
Water-based paint (emulsion) can be taken to your your council-run Household Reuse and Recycling Centre. The paint must be fully dried out – to do this take the lid off, add some sand, soil or sawdust and then leave for several weeks. Please then pierce the dried paint before taking it to the HRRC make sure it’s fully hardened.
Oil-based paint (gloss) or varnish is ‘hazardous’ and should never be put in the rubbish bin. Your council-run Household Reuse and Recycling Centre is not licensed to accept oil-based paint. You should contact the Hazardous Waste Collection Service operated by the City of London on 020 7332 3433 or by visiting the City of London website. They will arrange a collection of your hazardous materials for free.
WASTE LESS
If you have paint left-over, then you can give it away to friends or family, or see if a local school, church or community group would appreciate a donation.