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The U.S. coating industry’s product recycling program has arrived in the Midwest.
Minnesota contractors and consumers may now drop off unwanted cans of latex and oil-based paint and coatings at more than 100 points throughout the state.
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Photos: PaintCare |
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Minnesota's PaintCare program launched Nov. 1.
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The state’s PaintCare program, authorized by the legislature and signed into law in May 2013, began operating Saturday (Nov. 1).
The legislation is modeled on the American Coatings Association’s PaintCare program, which is designed to collect and manage unused architectural paints. The program began in Oregon in 2010.
More Drop-offs Planned
PaintCare representatives say that an additional 60 drop-off retail locations will be added to the Minnesota program by summer 2015.
“Retailer support of the PaintCare program is not only good business practice, but also an extension of good customer service,” says Scott Cassel, CEO of the Product Stewardship Institute Inc.
The nonprofit, in partnership with the paint industry, led the national dialogue that laid the foundation for PaintCare.
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Leftover cans of paint can get a new life throught the PaintCare recycling program.
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“By providing paint drop-off locations, retailers not only encourage more foot traffic, but they also offer an important kind of community service that addresses both environmental protection and convenience.”
The collected paint will be recycled, properly disposed of, or made available for reuse by PaintCare Inc., the nonprofit that develops and implements the recycling program for the ACA in the U.S.
PaintCare is funded through an assessment (the PaintCare Recovery Fee) on the purchase of new paint sold in participating states. Fees range from 35 cents to $1.60 per container, depending on the size.
State Adoption
Minnesota is the sixth state to adopt the initiative, and the third this year to roll out the program.
PaintCare also operates programs in California, Connecticut, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont. Representatives are now planning programs to begin next summer in Maine and Colorado.
Moreover, officials are working to get the product stewardship legislation passed in a number of other states, including New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Washington State.
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