SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): House Bill 451, introduced by Democratic Representative Karen Ebel of New London, intends to create a statewide post-consumer paint stewardship program in New Hampshire. This would enable locals to recycle leftover paint by dropping it off at specified places. The initiative will be financed by a small paint fee that is assessed at the time of purchase.
Numerous commercial and environmental organizations have expressed strong support for the House Bill. By diverting paint from landfills, the bill's implementation will assist the state in meeting its target of lowering trash by 25% in weight by 2030 and 45% by 2050.
ALSO READ:
City of Gary, IN Launched New Recycling Drop-Off Program
Washington DC Leaders Introduced Bill to Reduce Litter, Boost Recycling
After research revealed that paint was one of the primary items residents brought to hazardous waste collection events, the authorities began considering recycling hazardous waste. In the early 2000s, the American Coatings Association started working with environmental agencies to create the foundation for a paint stewardship program.
This amounted to a trial program that was first introduced in Oregon and then extended to eleven additional states. PaintCare, which oversees the initiative in multiple states, says that over 75 million gallons of paint have been collected to date.