Rhode Island guide
How to get rid of paint in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has a PaintCare paint stewardship program. You can drop off leftover architectural paint at PaintCare sites at no charge. A PaintCare fee is added when you buy new paint in the state.
Facts checked against PaintCare and RIDEM oversight references on 2026-11-05.
PaintCare in Rhode Island
- Program began June 2014. PaintCare lists dozens of year-round drop-off sites in Rhode Island.
- Accepted products: house paint plus primers, stains, sealers, and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish (PaintCare products / architectural coatings). Same products that carry the PaintCare fee when purchased.
- Drop-off at PaintCare sites is free. Call ahead for hours and limits.
- Sites do not accept aerosol coatings, leaking, unlabeled, or empty containers (PaintCare drop-off guidance).
- Large Volume Pickup is available for 100+ gallons for contractors and others with large leftover volumes.
- State oversight agency: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Law: R.I.G.L. Chapter 23-24.12.
Sources: PaintCare Rhode Island, PaintCare drop-off site locator.
PaintCare fee on new paint (not a drop-off fee)
- Half pint or smaller: $0.00
- Larger than half pint to smaller than 1 gallon: $0.35
- 1-2 gallons: $0.75
- Larger than 2 gallons up to 5 gallons: $1.60
The fee funds the stewardship program. It is not a tax or a deposit, per PaintCare.
Town transfer stations
Most Rhode Island towns on TownDumps send household hazardous waste (including leftover paint that is not going to PaintCare) to RIRRC Eco-Depot events rather than accepting paint as a routine dump item. A few towns note paint acceptance on their own pages.
- Bristol - Propane tanks, oil/lead-based paint, gasoline, and chemicals are not accepted. Contact Eco-Depot for hazardous materials.
- Glocester - Many household hazardous materials are not accepted. Building materials, brush, and various gas tanks are prohibited. Use RIRRC Eco-Depot for household hazardous waste. Paint in original cans is accepted at the transfer station building.
- Little Compton - Acceptable paints are listed on the town transfer station page. For other household hazardous waste, use RIRRC Eco-Depot. Disposable household batteries and small rechargeable batteries can be dropped at the Transfer Station (see attendant).