Needing to paint a dresser or picture frame? Chances are, you might be able to get at least some of your paint for free! Recycling and hazardous waste facilities within your county collect unused common household toxins (including paint and primer). Lucky for us, the items are then typically offered to the public at no cost.
Now, it’s important to keep in mind that a hazardous waste facility does not have every paint color in the rainbow. Most of the paint colors there are neutrals. And depending on the time you go and what paint has been dropped off, there could be slim pickings. About 50% of my visits have been successes, and I’ve walked away with at least one primer/paint can. During one visit, I found a beautiful eggshell blue that was used on this creative chalkboard desk project. So the moral of the story is, don’t get discouraged if the first couple of times you visit the recycling and hazardous waste facility there isn’t a paint that fits what you’re looking for.
Some other projects with free paint: