Paint Recycling Program Celebrates Continued Success in Vermont

MONTPELIER, Vt., Nov. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its launch in May of 2014, PaintCare's paint stewardship program in Vermont has continued to expand and find growing success. To-date, PaintCare has collected and processed more than 431,832 gallons of leftover paint in Vermont. In addition, the program is also responsible for recycling 69 tons of metal and plastic containers in the state, during the 2018 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018).

The PaintCare program in Vermont currently boasts a network of 75 year-round drop-off sites that will accept unused paint. The majority of drop-off sites (65) are paint retailers that accept paint from the public during their regular business hours. The remaining 10 sites consist of town transfer stations, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facilities, and one recycling facility. The 75 year-round drop-off sites provide a site within 15-miles to 99.5% of Vermont's residents.

In the 2018 Fiscal Year, PaintCare also managed paint from two seasonal facilities (one HHW and one transfer station); collected paint from 72 HHW drop-off events and six solid waste district-staffed paint-only events; and provided direct Large Volume Pick-ups (LVP) from one business that had accumulated more than 200 gallons of paint at its facility.

PaintCare Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was established by paint manufacturers (paint producers) to implement and operate paint stewardship programs in U.S. states and jurisdictions that have passed paint stewardship laws. Today, PaintCare manages nine (9) paint recycling programs around the country, including California, Oregon, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, Colorado, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia.

The program is funded by a nominal fee on new paint sales: 49 cents for pints and quarts, 99 cents for one gallon cans, and $1.99 for larger containers up to five gallons. This fee is responsible for funding paint collection, transportation, recycling, retailer training, and promotion in Vermont. Although all retailers must include the fee on their paint sales, participation as a drop-off site is optional.

A large part of this program's success in Vermont has been due to the overwhelming support that PaintCare has received from participating retailers, paint professionals, state legislators, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, and residents who are choosing to do their part.

"We are thrilled at the success of this program in Vermont," said Program Manager John Hurd, "and are grateful to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, the Agency of Natural Resources, the Product Stewardship Council, and our valued retail partners for making this achievement possible."

For more information on PaintCare and to find a local drop-off site, please visit www.paintcare.org. Find complete annual reports on PaintCare's program at www.paintcare.org/paintcare-states/vermont/#/official-docs.

Click the link below to view a one-page infographic highlighting the successes from the most recent reporting period for the Vermont PaintCare Program (July 2017 to June 2018). Vermont residents are encouraged to download and print a copy of the infographic and then post it for staff and the public at your business or organization. 

View/Download Infographic

About PaintCare
PaintCare is a non-profit organization established by the American Coatings Association to implement Paint Stewardship Programs on behalf of the paint manufacturers in states that pass paint stewardship laws. To learn more about PaintCare, please visit www.paintcare.org. For press photos, visit www.paintcare.org/press-images.

PaintCare was recently awarded the 2018 Environmental Sustainability Leadership Award from the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) for its impact on sustainable materials management in four New England States: Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

CONTACT
Brett Rodgers
Director of Communications
(202) 719-3707 • brodgers@paint.org

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SOURCE PaintCare