Many of us have unused paint in our basement or garage just waiting to never be used again. While I may use up leftover paint for a DIY project, I know that finding creative ways to use leftover paint is not right for everyone. Instead of just leaving the paint to collect dust, the best option is to recycle it. In Colorado, and eight other states across the U.S., there is a solution to help you recycle and properly dispose of unused paint through PaintCare. PaintCare is the paint recycling program that makes it easy for consumers and businesses to drop off their unused, unwanted paint for free recycling at over 160 participating locations in Colorado.
The drop-off sites are located mostly at paint and hardware stores. Paint drop-off sites will accept all paint brands, regardless of when or where they were purchased. Items that can be dropped off for recycling include most house paints, primers, stains, sealers, and clear top coatings (varnish and shellac). Drop-off sites are open year-round during each retail location’s regular business hours.
The PaintCare program then transports the collected paint from the drop-off sites to processing facilities, where it is remixed into recycled-content paint, used as fuel, made into other products or, in the case of some unrecyclable paint, it will be dried out and properly disposed.
Paint manufacturers created PaintCare, a non-profit stewardship organization, to run recycling programs in states as they pass paint stewardship laws. PaintCare was signed into law in Colorado by Governor Hickenlooper in 2014 and launched in July, 2015. So far in Colorado, PaintCare has collected nearly 1.6 million gallons of unused, unwanted paint.
For more information about PaintCare and to find a PaintCare drop-off site near you, visit www.paintcare.org.