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Households and businesses across Maryland will soon be able to recycle their leftover paint thanks to a new law that was approved by the Maryland Legislature and signed on Thursday, May 9, by state Governor Wes Moore.

Maryland will become the 12th state (in addition to the District of Columbia) that has adopted this paint stewardship law. The program is operated by PaintCare, a nonprofit organization created by the paint industry through the American Coatings Association. PaintCare operates similar programs in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia. A program is also currently being planned in Illinois.

The Maryland PaintCare program is anticipated to begin operation in 2026 and will offer over one hundred paint drop-off sites throughout the state where households and businesses can bring their leftover paint for recycling. Many of these drop-off sites will be conveniently located in paint and hardware stores that are open during normal business hours. There will be no cost to consumers when dropping off their leftover paint as funding to run the program will be included as a small fee added to the purchase price of new paint.

Currently, most leftover paint is disposed of in landfills or sits unused in basements and storage spaces until it hardens and becomes unusable. The new program will create a system for collecting paint for reuse, recycling, and other beneficial uses. It will also reduce the financial burden of waste management that currently falls to local governments.

Painting contractors will benefit from the PaintCare program and are encouraged to utilize its large volume pickup (LVP) service. Contractors and others with one hundred gallons or more of paint are eligible to receive a free pickup at their desired location. Contractors with frequent large volumes of paint can coordinate recurring pickups free of charge to keep valuable storage space free of clutter. To submit a pickup request, visit us online.

To date, PaintCare has processed over 70 million gallons of paint across all programs. With a network of more than 2,400 voluntary drop-off sites, the program provides convenient paint recycling opportunities within 15 miles of over 90% of populations served. PaintCare creates unprecedented convenience and offers a way for households and businesses to responsibly dispose of their leftover paint. Learn more about PaintCare at paintcare.org.