Can you recycle empty metal paint tins?
🏭 Recycling centre
Bone-dry empty tins: scrap metal at the recycling centre. Tins with paint: hazardous — see paint.
Completely dry, empty metal paint tins go in the scrap metal container at recycling centres (most councils don't want them kerbside even empty). Any tin with liquid paint must be treated as paint: dry it out with sand/sawdust or use a community RePaint scheme.
Tips
- Leave lids off so staff can see they're dry
Which bin does it go in?
Bone-dry empty tins: scrap metal at the recycling centre. Tins with paint: hazardous — see paint.
🏭 Find the nearest suitable location
Check booking, proof-of-address and vehicle rules before travelling.
Background: The decluttering disposal checklist.
Also searched as: paint cans, empty paint.
✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?