September 30, 2024, marks a significant step forward for environmental stewardship in California as a new law expands the scope of the state’s successful PaintCare program. Senate Bill 1143 (SB 1143) has officially been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, broadening the types of paint products collected for recycling and proper management under the PaintCare initiative. This bipartisan bill, which received strong support from CalRecycle and various environmental groups, builds upon PaintCare’s decade of success in managing architectural coatings and aims to create an even more comprehensive and user-friendly paint recycling system for California residents and businesses.
Since its inception in California in 2012, the PaintCare program has become a cornerstone of paint recycling, establishing a network of almost 800 convenient drop-off locations across the state. These sites, which include paint retailers, local waste facilities, and recycling centers, allow households and businesses to easily dispose of leftover architectural paint. PaintCare ensures that the collected paint is either reused, recycled into new paint, or repurposed for other beneficial uses, diverting waste from landfills and promoting a circular economy. To date, PaintCare has successfully managed an impressive 35 million gallons of architectural paint, demonstrating its effectiveness and the public’s engagement with the program.
PaintCare program implementation in California with expanded product collection under SB 1143 law
SB 1143 significantly enhances the PaintCare program by extending its reach beyond architectural coatings to include a wider array of nonindustrial coatings and coating-related products. This expansion comes on the heels of a 2023 California law that added aerosol coatings to PaintCare’s managed products. SB 1143 streamlines the implementation timeline, merging the aerosol coatings addition with these new product categories and setting a unified implementation target of 2028. This extended timeline is designed to facilitate smoother regulatory processes and program integration, ensuring a well-organized and efficient rollout of the expanded PaintCare program. CalRecycle is currently reviewing implementation plans to ensure they meet the state’s environmental goals and provide maximum convenience for participants.
Marjaneh Zarrehparvar, president of PaintCare, emphasizes the positive impact of this legislative update, stating, “We’re looking forward to making PaintCare a more universal stewardship program for California consumers. With over a decade of success operating the state’s architectural coatings program, we have a strong foundation and the right partners to manage nearly all leftover paint products in the state.” This expansion signifies PaintCare’s commitment to continuously improve and adapt its services to meet the evolving needs of California and its residents.
Andy Doyle, president and CEO of the American Coatings Association (ACA), also lauded the collaborative effort behind SB 1143. “The changes to PaintCare’s program under SB 1143 are the result of collaboration with lawmakers, stakeholders, and all those interested in ensuring all coatings and related products can be properly managed through PaintCare’s existing network,” Doyle stated. “This new law is a win-win: it will help to protect the environment and provide convenient end-of-life management access for consumers.” The ACA’s support highlights the industry’s commitment to responsible product stewardship and environmental sustainability.
In conclusion, the passage of SB 1143 marks an exciting new chapter for paint recycling in California. By expanding the PaintCare program to encompass a broader range of paint products, the state is taking a proactive approach to minimize waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment. California residents and businesses can anticipate an even more comprehensive and convenient PaintCare program in the coming years, reinforcing the state’s leadership in environmental innovation and responsible product management. For more information about the PaintCare program and drop-off locations, please visit www.paintcare.org.
