Oregon Paint Recycling Program a National First

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Oregon’s new paint recycling program has gone into effect, the first state law in the nation that provides a mechanism for recycling unused architectural paint, according to a press release.

The price of paint will increase slightly as the cost of running the $4.5 million program is passed down to consumers. One quart to one gallon of paint will cost an additional 75 cents, while volumes over a gallon will cost $1.60.

A variety of retailers throughout the state will serve as a network of paint collection sites where consumers and contractors can take their unused paint to be transported from the collection sites to processors for recycling, re-use, energy recovery and proper disposal of the collected paint. Thirty eight companies have volunteered to act as collection centers, while 90 collection centers are expected in the state by the end of the year.

The new system will accept interior and exterior paint, oil and latex-based paint, coatings, primers and varnishes. The law applies to volumes of paint sold in quantities under 5 gallons. The program is being administered under PaintCare, a non-profit group.

The Product Stewardship Institute pushed for the new law after similar efforts at getting a paint recycling system established in Minnesota. The group is still pushing for paint stewardship programs in California, Connecticut and Vermont.

According to one report citing the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, paint is the most common hazardous waste produced by households.

Oregon’s legislature will review the program in October 2011 to determine if it will continue.

The EPA announced that it is postponing enforcement of its lead paint regulations. Benjamin Moore recently introduced a new line of less hazardous household paints.

Environment + Energy Leader