Paint industry leaders and elected officials gathered at the Illinois State Capital to discuss the early progress of the new architectural paint recycling program, operated by PaintCare. PaintCare estimates the new program will manage nearly one million gallons of leftover paint in its first year. The program has already signed with 345 partners, including primarily paint and hardware retail stores but also facilities owned by local government and nonprofit organizations.
“The remarkable turnout and enthusiastic support from local leaders today confirmed what we already knew—Illinois was more than ready for this program,” says American Coatings Association president and CEO Michael Johnson. “The collection numbers speak for themselves and serve as a strong indicator that the program is working, scaling effectively and meeting a significant need in communities statewide. The success is the direct result of focused leadership and unprecedented collaboration across policy, environmental advocacy, retailers and local communities. Today marks a major milestone and a strong foundation for what comes next.”
A nonprofit organization created by the American Coatings Association (ACA), PaintCare helps households and businesses recycle leftover paint, stain and varnish in a convenient and responsible way. PaintCare’s recycling program was made possible under the paint stewardship law, passed in 2023 by the Illinois General Assembly with bipartisan support.
“This program is a tremendous win for Illinois families, businesses and our environment,”says Illinois state senator Linda Holmes, the bill’s chief state sponsor. “For years, residents have been asking for a simpler, more responsible way to dispose of old paint, and I’m proud to have sponsored legislation that directly responds to that need. This program will provide more collection sites than in the past; I believe more convenient access, as additional drop-off sites join the system, will be an incentive to families and business owners to safely dispose of leftover paint and free up space in their homes and businesses.”
Similar paint stewardship laws and programs are already in action in California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
