Submitted by Clark County
A new paint recycling program is operating in Clark County, allowing households and businesses to recycle leftover paint, stain, and varnish conveniently and sustainably.
The program, operated by the nonprofit PaintCare, launched on April 1 and is now operating more than 20 paint recycling drop-off sites in Clark County and more than 150 sites across the state. PaintCare is replacing the Clark County Paint-Take-Back program that has operated in the absence of a stewardship program since 2005 through a partnership between Clark County and Waste Connections.
Drop-off locations for paint recycling can be found on the PaintCare site locator. Most sites accept both latex and oil-based architectural paint products, including paints, stains, and varnishes. Paint must be dropped off in its original container with its original manufacturer’s label. A full list of products accepted by the program is available on the PaintCare website.
All PaintCare sites accept up to 5 gallons of paint from each customer and some sites accept more. Those looking to recycle paint are encouraged to call ahead to ensure the site can accept the amount and type of paint for recycling. Businesses, organizations, and households with 200 gallons of paint or more to recycle may request a free pickup at their location. More information and a request form can be found on the PaintCare website.
Businesses qualify for paint recycling through PaintCare with some restrictions. Oil-based paints can only be accepted from businesses that are conditionally exempt from dangerous waste regulations. In Washington, these businesses are known as Small Quantity Generators of dangerous waste. Latex paint and water-based paints are accepted from all businesses. Visit the PaintCare website for more information.
PaintCare was chosen by the Washington State Department of Ecology to manage leftover paint in the state, following the paint stewardship law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2019.
The law ensures that everyone who produces, sells, and uses paint work together to manage its entire life cycle. To date, PaintCare has processed more than 46 million gallons of paint across nine states and the District of Columbia and has saved state and local governments millions of dollars.
A small fee — called the PaintCare fee — on the sale of new paint funds all aspects of the program including paint collection, transportation, processing, and public education. The PaintCare fee in Washington is the same as in neighboring Oregon and varies by container size: $0 for half pint or smaller; $0.45 for larger than half pint up to smaller than one gallon; $0.95 for one gallon up to two gallons; $1.95 for larger than two gallons up to five gallons.
Visit the PaintCare website to learn more.
