Recycle your Paint for FREE with PaintCare Program

As you start thinking about spring and summer remodeling products, remember to recycle your unused paint – for FREE or LOW-COST depending on how much.  Minnesota is one of 9 states to participate in the PaintCare program.  The program allows all Minnesota residents to recycle their used paint for FREE or LOW-COST.  See the chart for fees in Minnesota.

Minnesota

Current fees. Note that the container sizes for the two larger categories will also change.

The idea is to make recycling paint as easy as buying  paint.  Products accepted include house paint and primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings no matter its age.  So far 120 retail drop-off sites have been established and PaintCare expects to have 50 additional locations by summer.  25 locations in Minnesota for easy drop off. The sites are located at paint and hardware stores that have volunteered to take back paint.  These stores accept paint whenever they are open for business.   Use the PaintCare Site Locator to find a place to drop-off your leftover paint.   All PaintCare sites take back all brands (not just brands they sell) and all paint stores accept paint from anyone in the state.

Each drop-off site sets a limit on how much can be dropped off per visit – usually up to 5 gallons.  The PaintCare program is funded by an extra fee added to the purchase of new paint sold in the state.  This new fee is not a deposit – residents don’t get it back when they recycle or drop off paint.  The funds are used to pay for the program including collection, transportation, recycling, public outreach and program administration. Click here to find out more information about the PaintCare program.