Dive Brief:

• The Vermont Paint Stewardship program collected and recycled over 38,000 gallons of used paint since the program began in May.
• The paint recycling program was established by PaintCare Inc., a nonprofit partnership that includes paint manufacturers. The organization facilitates programs in states that pass paint stewardship laws. 
• PaintCare has set up 39 retail locations that accept leftover paint from consumers. Alternate facilities that also accept used paint include five government household hazardous waste plants, seven transfer stations and 10 drop-off events that take place in various communities.

Dive Insight:

PaintCare funds the operations via fees for each can of paint sold. The fees go into  transportation costs from the collection sites to the processors and for educational outreach programs geared toward consumers. 

PaintCare said the state has reached 36% of its goal for the year, in four months. The nonprofit has set up programs in Oregon, California, Connecticut and Rhode Island in addition to the one in Vermont. The PaintCare program has been a particular success in Oregon, where 50% more paint than expected was collected during the first two years the program was in effect.