Home Depot doesn’t accept used paint for return or credit. The only exception is if the product was defective when you bought it. In this case, you should return the paint to Home Depot within 30 days for a full refund or color correction.
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Home Depot’s Return Policy for Paints
The Home Depot offers a 100% paint satisfaction guarantee on paint purchased at their outlets. If you aren’t content with your interior or exterior liquid paint purchased there, you can return it within 30 days. Remember to carry the original receipt for them to correct the paint or give you a similar can of paint.
However, the paint return policy excludes the following;
- Color samples
- Liquid stains
- Paint bought from third parties and marketplaces
- Problems with application due to bad surfaces
- Special order paints
- Non-stock products
- Labor and application
- “Oops” paints
To return the paint, you must meet certain conditions such as;
- The paint has to be unopened and unused
- You must return within 30 days of purchase
- Have the original receipt with you (printed and online receipts are acceptable)
Does Home Depot Take Old Paint for Disposal?
Generally, Home Depot doesn’t accept old paint for disposal. You can take it to any hazardous waste facility or donate it to your local community, such as a school, rather than disposing of it unsafely.
What Can You Recycle at Home Depot?
Here are some of the items you can recycle at Home Depot:
- Lithium-ion batteries – are the most common rechargeable batteries used in electronics like laptops and cell phones. They contain metals such as cobalt, copper, and nickel, which can be harmful to the environment if not recycled properly
- Old toilets – Home Depot will remove your old toilet for recycling and install a new one. They also test the newly installed one to ensure that it’s working correctly
- Cardboard boxes – are free to recycle, but only if they’re clean and dry. Remove any tape or labels before bringing them to the store
- Light bulbs – You can drop off your light bulbs at your local store free of charge. Just be sure they’re empty and not broken (and don’t forget to remove the bulb from any fixture)
- Old appliances – You can drop off old refrigerators, freezers, and ranges at any Home Depot store location’s recycling area
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs – Home Depot accepts fluorescent light bulbs in its recycling bins at all locations nationwide. Remove the bulb from its original packaging and place it in the designated area for recycling
How to Properly Dispose of Paints and Chemicals
Paints and other chemicals can also be dangerous if not disposed of properly. Here are some tips on how to dispose of it safely:
- Use a hazardous waste facility
- Dispose of paints in their original containers
- Ensure that the container is well sealed
- Label the container with “Paint” or “Chemicals”
- Contact your local health department on how to dispose of any oil-based paints properly
- Donate any leftover paints to charities, churches, schools, or service clubs
- Estimate the amount of paint you need beforehand to reduce leftovers and wastage. You can use the Home Depot’s project calculator to get the right amount
- Exchange leftover paints with neighbors and friends
For safe disposal of paint, you can find paint recycling centers near you that double up as home improvement centers. Outlets like Sherwin Williams or Lowes accept old paint, albeit with some conditions. For example, most of these outlets won’t take hazardous waste products like oil-based paints and empty aerosol cans.
FAQs
Can you return empty paint cans to Home Depot?
You cannot take empty paint cans to the Home Depot for recycling as they do not accept them. To dispose of the cans, ensure they have no residue paint and throw them in the dust bin.
Is it illegal to throw away paint?
It’s illegal to throw away paint in most US states. The best way to dispose of the paint is to take it to a hazardous waste facility.
What is the best way to recycle paint cans?
If there is leftover paint in the cans, use a paint hardener, sawdust, or soil to harden the paint. After the paint has dried up, dispose of the cans in your local household waste recycling centers or the dust bin.
Conclusion
Home Depot doesn’t accept old paint for disposal or recycling. They’ll only take unopened or unused paint purchased at their stores within the last 30 days.
If you have old paint you want to get rid of, you can take it to a hazardous waste collection center. You can also donate leftover paint to charities, schools, and local communities or exchange it with your neighbors.
