NYS Postconsumer Paint Collection Program
Take any left over architectural paint to a participating drop off site.
Photo compliments of PaintCare
Drop Off Sites Available for Consumers
Thanks to convenient drop off sites, consumers now have a way to ensure the collection, reuse, and recycling of architectural paint. Looking for a drop off location? Visit the Paint Care New York program page (leaves DEC website) for participating sites and the latest program information.
Please note: this program is funded through the payment of a small fee, "the PaintCare fee," at the time of a new paint purchase. The fee is not a tax nor a deposit.
Paint Requirements
Producers of architectural paint sold into the state must take part in a postconsumer paint collection and recycling program following the DEC approved plan. The program covers "architectural paint" and includes interior and exterior architectural coatings sold in containers of five gallons or less including house paint and primers (latex or oil-based), stains, deck and concrete sealers, and clear finishes (e.g., varnishes, shellacs).
Other Participants
While this program is helpful to consumers, it also pertains to:
Retailers - Retailers of architectural paint can only offer for sale architectural paint products and brands belonging to producers who are registered with the program. Retailers of architectural paint are given the opportunity to voluntarily participate as a waste paint drop-off site.
Municipalities - Local municipalities, by participating as waste paint drop-off sites, benefit from the postconsumer paint collection program since costs associated with the management of waste paint that ends up in the municipal waste streams will be covered by the program.
Producers - Since the program's implementation, producers are prohibited from selling or offering for sale, architectural paint in the state unless the producer and their brands are registered with the DEC as participating in an approved program.
Registered Producers/Brands
Producers or retailers can no longer sell, or offer for sale, architectural paint to consumers in New York unless the producer and their brands participate in the program and are registered with PaintCare.
DEC provides information on registered producers (PDF) and their brands (PDF).
Program Background
In 2019, the Postconsumer Paint Collection Program (leaves DEC website) was signed into law. This legislation expands the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Article 27 by adding a new Title 20.
Under the law, architectural paint producers, who sell paint in or into New York State, need to implement a postconsumer paint collection program, either individually or cooperatively with other producers. Participants submitted postconsumer paint collection program plans to DEC by July,2020. The postconsumer paint collection program is funded by a small fee, "the PaintCare fee," incorporated into the price of covered products at the time of purchase.
PaintCare Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that represents paint producers in other states that have implemented similar programs, submitted a draft plan on behalf of producers who sell architectural paint in New York State.
DEC granted a conditional approval (PDF) to PaintCare on its revised postconsumer paint collection program plan submitted to the Department on December 1, 2021. Read more about the PaintCare New York Paint Stewardship Program Plan. (PDF, 28 MB)
Additional Information
PaintCare Inc. webinar (leaves DEC website) (November 2021) for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs and Service Providers.
DEC issued an enforcement discretion letter (PDF, March 2021) regarding conditionally exempt small quantity generator provisions. This letter addresses authorized destination facilities and regulatory flexibility for collection of postconsumer paint.
This page will be updated periodically to reflect additional details regarding the new postconsumer paint collection program.
