There are plenty of ways to get rid of leftover paint, but recycling is the safest one. It keeps liquid paint out of landfills and drains, and in the St. Louis area you can do it by joining a paint recycling event. This is what this guide is all about.
Paint Busters Recycling is hosting a drive-through latex paint collection this November. You can stay in your car, hand over your cans, and get rid of the long sitting paints safely. Below, you’ll find what each event accepts, how to prepare your cans, and what to do with empty cans.
Paint Recycling Event in Missouri This November
Leftover paint is easy to ignore until the garage shelf runs out of room. A paint recycling event gives you a set time and place to finally deal with it.
Paint Busters Recycling holds these events as drive-through latex paint collections: you pull up in your car, hand over your cans, and pay by weight. They rotate between cities across the St. Louis area, so the right one depends on where you live and which date fits your week.
Five events are scheduled for November, and the table below shows the date, location, hours, and fee for each.
Date | Event | Key Details |
Fri, Nov 6 | 7:30 am to 12 pm at Shaw Park, 27 S Brentwood Blvd. Full fee event: $1.00 per pound. | |
Sat, Nov 7 | 8 am to 12 pm at Shaw Park, 27 S Brentwood Blvd. Full fee event: $1.00 per pound. | |
Sat, Nov 7 | 9 am to 12 pm. Full fee event: $1.00 per pound. | |
Sat, Nov 14 | 9 to 11 am at 1186 Teson Rd. First 30 lbs free, then $1.00 per pound, for the first 220 cars. | |
Thu, Nov 19 | 9 to 11 am at Bluebird Park, 225 Kiefer Creek Rd. Full fee event: $1.00 per pound. |
Which Types of Paint Can You Bring to a Recycling Event?
Paint Busters Recycling collects latex paint, also called water-based paint, at its Missouri drive-through events. Most household projects use it, so there is a good chance the cans in your garage qualify. Accepted items include:
- Interior and exterior latex paint
- Latex primers
- Water-based stains and sealers
Condition matters less than the type of paint. Full cans, partially full cans, and dried latex paint all appear on the accepted list, so you can bring a can without finishing it first. Before you load the car, check each label. Cans marked “latex,” “water-based,” or “clean up with soap and water” are good to go.
Types of Paint That Can’t Be Accepted at the Recycling Event
If you are searching for paint thinners’ recycling options, your local household hazardous waste program is the best place to start, since solvents and oil-based products require specialized disposal.
Sorting your cans before you leave home saves a wasted trip. Here are some of the following items that are not accepted:
- Oil-based paint: The label usually says “oil-based” or “clean up with mineral spirits.”
- Paint thinners and solvents: For paint thinners recycling, contact your local household hazardous waste program.
- Aerosol spray paint: Spray cans need a different disposal method.
Because these events collect latex only, anything on the second list stays out of the drive-through line.
Keep latex and oil-based paint in separate piles, and bring only the latex. Ready to choose a date? View the upcoming paint recycling events and find the location closest to you.
How to Prepare for a November Paint Recycling Event
Event hours are short. Fees are charged by weight. And a poorly packed trunk can turn a quick drop-off into a mess. A few minutes of planning before you leave helps you avoid unexpected challenges.
Plan Around the Event Hours
Each event runs between two and four and a half hours. Clayton opens as early as 7:30 am on November 6, while Hazelwood and Ellisville run from 9 to 11 am. Arrive early. Hazelwood’s free allowance covers only the first 220 cars, and only while grant funding lasts.
Estimate Your Cost Before You Go
You pay by weight, so a quick estimate helps you know what to expect at the gate. Staff weigh your paint on site, and most events charge $1.00 per pound. A full gallon of latex paint weighs roughly 10 to 12 pounds, which puts five gallons at around $50. It’s safe to understand that this figure is a rough guide, not a fixed quote.
Additionally, Hazelwood’s November 14 collection covers your first 30 pounds, thanks to a St. Louis County grant, so about three gallons could cost nothing. The free allowance lasts only while funding holds, so arrive early. You can pay with cash, check, or credit card.
Pack the Car Safely
Press each lid down firmly and wipe any paint from the rim. Place the cans upright in a box or laundry basket so they can’t tip over.
Have a Backup Plan
If none of the November dates fit your schedule, Paint Busters also offers a paid pickup service. It works well for people with a lot of cans, limited time, or no easy way to haul paint in the car. The process takes three steps:
- Register online. Fill out the form with your location and the amount of paint you have, then choose the pickup date you prefer.
- Confirm a time. A team member contacts you to set a timeframe on that date.
- Set out your cans. On pickup day, leave them somewhere visible, such as near the garage, on the driveway, or by the front walkway.
The same rules apply here as at the events. The service is meant for latex paint, so check your labels first. If you’re unsure what you have, call 314-936-5880 (Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 4 pm, and Friday, 8 am to 2 pm) before you book. The pickup service also covers businesses, contractors, property managers, and HOAs, which helps if the paint belongs to a job site or a shared space instead of a home.
Book a paint pickup online and choose a date that works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Where can I recycle paint in St. Louis, Missouri?
Paint Busters Recycling holds drive-through latex paint collections in cities like Clayton, Hazelwood, and Ellisville this November. If you can’t make a date, the company also offers a paid pickup service. - Are paint recycling events in Missouri free?
Most charge $1.00 per pound, and your paint is weighed on site. Some, like Hazelwood on November 14, include the first 30 pounds free while grant funding lasts. - Can I recycle empty paint cans in Missouri?
Paint Busters’ events focus on liquid latex paint and don’t list empty cans as accepted. Rules vary by city, so check with your local waste service. - Can I bring oil-based paint to a paint recycling event?
No, the events accept only latex (water-based) paint. For oil-based paint, thinners, and aerosols, contact your local household hazardous waste program. - How should I prepare paint cans for a recycling event?
Check each label for “latex” or “water-based,” press the lids down firmly, and wipe the rims clean. Stand the cans upright in a box or basket, and bring cash, a check, or a card.
