PaintCare, the nonprofit organization created by the American Coatings Association to make it easy for households and businesses to recycle leftover paint, recently announced the launch of a new artificial intelligence–powered product recognition tool designed to help paint consumers quickly determine whether their leftover products are accepted at PaintCare drop-off locations.

Developed in partnership with the technology company Rubbish, the tool uses image recognition to identify common paint and paint-related products and provide guidance on whether they are covered by the PaintCare program. By uploading or taking a photo, users can receive instant feedback on whether their item is accepted for recycling, reuse or proper disposal at a nearby PaintCare drop-off site.

“PaintCare’s new product recognition tool reflects the coatings industry’s long tradition of forward-thinking innovation and responsible product stewardship,” says Mike Johnson, president and CEO of the American Coatings Association. “By pairing PaintCare’s proven stewardship model with cutting-edge AI, we’re giving paint users a simple, intuitive tool to understand what they can bring to PaintCare’s drop-off sites. It’s another example of how the coatings industry and PaintCare continue to lead with solutions that reduce waste, increase reuse and make recycling more accessible for everyone.”

The tool is designed to complement PaintCare’s existing online resources, including the Drop Off Site Locator, which connects users to more than 3,000 year-round drop-off locations across 12 states and the District of Columbia. The new tool adds a new layer of convenience by helping users identify products before they arrive at a site, reducing confusion, improving efficiency and supporting a smoother recycling experience.

“When people are sorting through leftover products in their garage or basement, it can be hard to know what’s accepted. This tool removes that confusion by providing instant guidance on post-consumer paints and coatings, strengthening communication about program products,” says Marjaneh Zarrehparvar, president of PaintCare. “We are excited to offer this tool to help streamline the paint recycling process and save time for paint consumers.”

The tool is designed for broad use, from homeowners sorting through old products in their garage to contractors managing job site leftovers. Community partners, including municipalities and environmental organizations, can also use the tool to support public education.

“Technology like this product recognition tool helps us meet people where they are,” says Brett Rodgers, PaintCare’s vice president of communications. “Whether someone is cleaning out a garage, wrapping up a renovation or sorting through old supplies, this tool gives them a quick way to understand what they can recycle. It’s another step toward making responsible paint management the norm.”