Following the success of Oregon’s pilot paint stewardship program, California passed legislation in 2010 to authorize the first permanent paint take back program in the nation that is supported and run by the paint manufacturing industry. PaintCare launched California’s statewide program last October with 340 new paint drop-off sites and is gradually adding more sites throughout the state. When fully implemented, the program will have more than 700 drop-off sites statewide.
The PaintCare Programs are funded by a nominal fee added to the purchase price on new paint. The fees, based on container size, are 35 cents per quart, 75 cents per gallon and $1.60 per 5 gallon bucket.
The program will also help many local governments by paying for transportation and recycling costs for paint collected at their household hazardous waste collection facilities.
“We are continually seeking new collection sites to add to the system,” said Marjaneh Zarrehparvar, Executive Director for PaintCare. “As the program grows, we will double the number of sites and make recycling paint easier and more convenient throughout California.” Most new drop-off sites are at paint retailers who volunteer to take back paint from the public and are conveniently located with regular business hours. PaintCare’s goal is to have a drop-off site within 15 miles for 95% of the population within two years.
California was the second state in the country to establish this type of program. Oregon’s program started in July 2010 and had collected approximately 1.25 million gallons of paint so far. PaintCare is also expanding into two new states very soon. Connecticut’s program will begin in July; Rhode Island’s will begin in 2014.
“There is increasing interest in the program nationally” said Zarrehparvar. “We’ve talked with many people in other states requesting information about how PaintCare’s programs work. They want to know how they can bring the PaintCare program to their state, how they can be a paint collection site, and how our paint recycling process works.”
About PaintCare, Inc.
PaintCare is the non-profit organization established by the American Coatings Association to manage Paint Stewardship Programs on behalf of the paint manufacturers in states that pass paint stewardship legislation. To learn more about the importance of reusing and recycling your leftover paint, or to find a collection center near you, visit www.paintcare.org.