What you need to know about Bellingham’s free paint recycling event
Whatcom County is hosting a free paint collection and recycle event in Bellingham on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The event originally was scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 5, in the parking lot of Civic Stadium but organizers have moved it to Saturday in Barkley Village instead.
The event offers an eco-friendly way to dispose of unwanted paints and paint products, including latex- and oil-based paints, acrylic paints, urethanes, varnishes, shellacs and lacquers, primers and clear coatings, according to a news release from Whatcom County Health and Community Services.
Any usable paint collected during the event will be recycled into latex paint, the release states.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at at 2211 Rimland Drive in Bellingham’s Barkley Village.
Paint should be in its original 5-gallon containers or smaller, although there is no other limit to the amount of paint that can be donated. There is also no need to dry out the paint before donating it, according to the release.
Items that will not be accepted include spray paints, marine paints, auto paints, electronics, household hazardous waste, paint thinner and driveway sealers.
Attendees do not need to exit their vehicle when dropping off the paint. Event staff will be there to direct traffic and unload the materials, the release states.
Pre-registration is encouraged and can be completed at circular.eco/event/Bellingham.
This story was originally published September 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
.jpg)