House Passes Measure to Begin Recycling Paint

The House of Representatives approved the creation of a program to increase the recovery of post-consumer paint while saving municipalities the cost of that disposal.  A bi-partisan supported bill (SB 828) passed unanimously and is the result of an initiative by the American Coatings Association allowing a non-profit organization representing the industry the ability to collect a nominal fee to be used for the recovery and recycling of architectural paint.

“There are 7.4 million gallons of paint sold in Connecticut each year. Ten percent of that total is leftover or unused,” said State Representative Pat Widlitz (D-Guilford, Branford), who negotiated the bill and lead the effort to pass it on the House floor.  “This program will save our towns money, cost less than the current hazardous waste collection process and insure the proper disposal and recycling of unused product in an environmentally appropriate manner.”

In 2008, it was calculated the cost of disposing leftover and unused paint in Connecticut at hazardous waste collection locations was $620,000.   It is estimated the recovery cost involved in this new program will be a fraction of that number, specifically $.75/gallon and $1.60/5 gallon.  Latex based paint not brought to hazardous waste collection sites results in increased tipping fees for municipalities when containers are just placed in the trash after drying out.

Types of paint products that can be covered under the program include:

• Oil based paint
• Latex based paint
• Deck coating
• Waterproof sealers
• Primers
• Varnish
• Stains
• Shellac

Under the program, recycling drop-off locations will be established at certain paint retail centers and with the potential for future businesses established to recycle or properly dispose of paint products.

“This is another step in the effort to rid Connecticut of toxic products in our environment,” said State Representative Richard Roy (D-Milford), House Chairman of the Environment Committee. “Similar to the successful electronics recycling programs now gaining popularity, states like Oregon, California and now Connecticut are leading by example.”

“This common sense approach to recycling paint is great for the environment, for town budgets and for consumers who will find it more convenient to safely and legally dispose of all those cans of leftover product that seem to pile up in our homes and garages,” said State Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford).  “Representative Pat Widlitz deserves our gratitude for her extensive negotiations with the paint industry to create a bill that earned our unanimous support.”

Following approval of regulations by the DEP, the program is expected to be running by July 1, 2013. The bill heads to the Governor for his expected signature.

Press Release House of Representatives