Seattle, WA
Paint Disposal in Seattle
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Paint Disposal in Seattle
4 free · 0 fee-based
How it works in Seattle
Local rules
- Washington Electronic Product Recycling Law (RCW 70A.500, 2006): created E-Cycle Washington — one of the first state-level producer-funded e-waste programs in the US. Covers TVs, computers, monitors, laptops, tablets, e-readers, and portable DVD players. Manufacturers fund collection and recycling.
- Seattle Director's Rule SW-404: bans batteries and covered electronics from municipal solid waste in Seattle (garbage, recycling carts, transfer stations). Violations result in a tag on the cart asking the resident to remove the items — no fines. Effective January 1, 2025 for batteries.
- WA Battery EPR Law (SB 5144, signed May 11, 2023): producer-funded statewide battery collection program. Bans portable batteries (rechargeable and primary single-use) from the trash. Program implementation was still rolling out as of 2026; the law was driven partly by battery-caused fires at Seattle transfer stations and MRFs.
- RCW 70A.205 — general solid waste management: electronics in the trash must be separated for recycling; disposal bans for lead-acid batteries, mercury-containing lights, and other universal wastes also apply. King County has additional local requirements.
- PaintCare Washington launched based on the state's Paint Stewardship Law: PaintCare operates drop-off sites across the state funded by a per-container fee at purchase — covers architectural paints, primers, stains, varnishes, and sealers up to 5 gallons.
Worth knowing
- Seattle's two permanent HHW facilities (North and South) run completely different schedules: North is Sun-Mon-Tue, South is Thu-Fri-Sat. They're closed Wednesday and Sunday — exactly the days people try to go. The North facility was originally described as having a different address (12550 Stone Ave N at the Seattle.gov page lists Sunday/Monday/Tuesday).
- King County HHW accepts waste from ALL King County residents, not just Seattle residents — the North and South Seattle facilities plus the Factoria (Bellevue) site and traveling Wastemobile. This is unusually generous compared to city-only programs in other metros.
- Seattle's Special Item Curbside Pickup includes one FREE battery pickup per year, a free small electronics box per year, free curbside motor oil/used cooking oil, and free styrofoam pickup — a genuinely useful program many Seattleites don't know they have.
- E-Cycle Washington does NOT cover computer peripherals (keyboards, mice, printers), contrary to what many Seattle residents assume. Those go to Best Buy/Staples or the HHW facilities instead.
- The Wastemobile has been running since 1989 — one of the longest-running mobile HHW collection programs in the US. It visits ~20 locations/year across King County from February through October.
- Battery-caused fires at Seattle transfer stations and in collection trucks have been a major safety driver behind both the Seattle SW-404 ban and the state battery EPR law. Seattle's South Transfer Station had multiple battery fires in 2024-2025.
- PaintCare Washington accepts latex AND oil-based paint at the same drop-off sites — unlike some states where HHW handles the oil-based stuff. Sherwin-Williams, Miller Paint, and Rodda Paint are the most common Seattle-area PaintCare sites.
- King County's Haz Waste Help Line (206-296-4692) also gives advice on safer alternatives to hazardous household products — a free consultation service.
King County household hazardous waste
King County / Seattle HHW — North & South Facilities
Free for all King County residents. Two facilities: North (12550 Stone Ave N, Sun-Mon-Tue 9-5) and South (8100 2nd Ave S, Thu-Fri-Sat 9-5). No appointment needed.
Other Seattle programs
- North Seattle Household Hazardous Waste FacilityFree HHW drop-off for all King County residents. 12550 Stone Avenue North, Seattle 98133. Hours: Sunday/Monday/Tuesday 9 AM-5 PM. No appointment needed. Closed major holidays.
- South Seattle Household Hazardous Waste FacilityFree HHW drop-off for all King County residents. 8100 2nd Ave S, Seattle 98108 (Recology site lists as 8105 Fifth Avenue S). Hours: Thursday/Friday/Saturday 9 AM-5 PM. No appointment needed. Closed major holidays.
- Factoria HHW Drop-Off Service (Bellevue)Free HHW drop-off for all King County residents at 13800 SE 32nd St, Bellevue. Third permanent HHW site serving the Eastside.
- King County WastemobileFree traveling HHW collection events across communities in King County, February through October. 10 AM-5 PM on listed dates. No fee. Standard HHW limits apply. Locations include UW Bothell Campus, Redmond Home Depot, Kent/Covington Fire Station 75, and others — rotates through the county. Year-round weekend location at The Outlet Collection in Auburn (1101 Outlet Collection Dr SW, every Sat-Sun).206-296-4692
- E-Cycle Washington (state program)Free recycling for TVs, computers, laptops, monitors, tablets, e-readers, and portable DVD players. Producer-funded program (Chapter 70A.500 RCW) — free for Washington residents and small businesses. Hundreds of drop-off sites across the state. Peripherals (keyboards, mice, printers) not covered — take to Best Buy or Staples for free.800-732-9253
- PaintCare WashingtonStatewide paint stewardship program. Free drop-off for latex and oil-based architectural paints, primers, stains, sealers, shellac, and varnish at participating retailers (Sherwin-Williams, Miller Paint, Rodda Paint, Ace Hardware, True Value, and others). Containers up to 5 gallons accepted. Funded by per-container fee at point of sale.855-724-6809
- SPU Special Item Curbside PickupSeattle Public Utilities customers can schedule on-demand curbside pickup for batteries, small electronics, lightbulbs, styrofoam, and more. Batteries: first pickup FREE per year ($5 after), limit 2 one-gallon bags, tape ends. Small electronics box: first pickup FREE ($20 after), max 2'x2'x2'/60 lb. Large items (furniture, appliances, TVs over 2'x2'x2'): $31/item. Schedule online or at 206-684-3000.206-684-3000
- Call2Recycle / Battery Network (drop-off)Free rechargeable and lithium-ion battery drop-off at participating Seattle-area Home Depot, Lowe's, Staples, and other retailers. Do NOT bring damaged, defective, or recalled batteries (DDR) to collection sites.
- Home Collection Program (King County)Free at-home HHW pickup for King County residents age 65+ or with a disability who cannot access a collection site. Operates Wednesdays 9 AM-3 PM, but may have a backlog. Does NOT collect latex paint, tires, electronics, or medications.206-296-4692
- Best Buy & Staples (retail take-back)Best Buy accepts most electronics free (limit 3 items/day per household). Staples accepts up to 7 items/day free, plus ink/toner cartridges with Staples Rewards ($2/cartridge). Both accept keyboards, printers, and other peripherals not covered by E-Cycle Washington.
- Auburn Wastemobile (year-round weekend)Year-round weekend HHW collection at The Outlet Collection Mall, 1101 Outlet Collection Dr SW, Auburn. Every Saturday and Sunday 10 AM-5 PM. No appointment needed. Free for King County residents.
Where this came from: 19 sources
- www.seattle.gov/utilities/your-services/collection-and-disposal/garbage/hazardous-waste-items/where-to-dispose-of-hazardous-waste (opens in a new tab)
- www.seattle.gov/utilities/your-services/collection-and-disposal/ban-on-batteries-and-electronics-in-garbage (opens in a new tab)
- www.seattle.gov/utilities/your-services/collection-and-disposal/recycling/special-item-pickup (opens in a new tab)
- kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/hazardous-waste-program/household/disposal-facilities (opens in a new tab)
- kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/hazardous-waste-program/wastemobile (opens in a new tab)
- kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/garbage-recycling-compost/services/electronics-recycling (opens in a new tab)
- kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/garbage-recycling-compost/services/paint-recycling (opens in a new tab)
- kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/hazardous-waste-program/news-events/news/2025-02-18-battery-and-electonics-disposal (opens in a new tab)
- kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/hazardous-waste-program/news-events/news/2026-wastemobile-schedule-is-here (opens in a new tab)
- ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/our-recycling-programs/electronics-e-cycle (opens in a new tab)
- ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/our-recycling-programs/paint-stewardship (opens in a new tab)
- www.paintcare.org/states/washington (opens in a new tab)
- ecyclewa.org (opens in a new tab)
- www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SPU/Services/Recycling/Proper-Disposal-Batteries-Electronics_English.pdf (opens in a new tab)
- app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70A.500 (opens in a new tab)
- www.epa.gov/electronics-batteries-management/battery-collection-action-case-study-seattle-public-utilities (opens in a new tab)
- www.wastetodaymagazine.com/news/seattle-battery-disposal-ban-takes-effect (opens in a new tab)
- wasteadvantagemag.com/seattle-public-utilities-announces-coming-in-spring-2026-easier-disposal-for-hard-to-recycle-items (opens in a new tab)
- zerowastewashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MEDIA-RELEASE-Governor-signs-Washingtons-Battery-Recycling-Bill-into-law-May-11-2023.pdf (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
About Paint Disposal here
How much does Paint disposal cost in this area?
All 4 facilities accept Paint for free.
Do I need an appointment for Paint drop-off?
No appointment needed. North Seattle Household Hazardous Waste Facility, South Seattle Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Sherwin-Williams (Seattle) - PaintCare Drop-Off, PaintCare Washington - Statewide Paint Recycling Program accept walk-ins.
Is pickup available for Paint?
Most facilities require you to drop off Paint. Check individual listings for special arrangements.
Are there quantity limits for Paint drop-off?
Some facilities have limits: North Seattle Household Hazardous Waste Facility: Residential quantities; South Seattle Household Hazardous Waste Facility: Residential quantities; Sherwin-Williams (Seattle) - PaintCare Drop-Off: Up to 5 gallons per container; PaintCare Washington - Statewide Paint Recycling Program: Up to 5 gallons per container, 10 gallons per trip recommended.