Holmes and PaintCare roll out household paint recycling program in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -State Senator Linda Holmes welcomed representatives of PaintCare, Inc. to the Capitol to announce early progress in the new statewide household paint recycling program, created by Holmes' 2024 Paint Stewardship Act.

Many households and businesses have old, unused cans of paint in their basements or garages; there have been few options to dispose of them safely. Beginning in December of 2025, designated collection centers at familiar paint retailers began opening across the state for environmentally safe disposal.

Holmes' Paint Stewardship Act was passed and signed in 2024, and the program has been in development by PaintCare and their stewardship cohorts throughout 2025.

"Gathering cans of leftover paint from our homes and dropping them off at a nearby paint retailer will be a safe, convenient process for consumers," said Holmes (D-Aurora). "PaintCare has streamlined the safe management of this waste with paint manufacturers, and work with states and jurisdictions that pass paint stewardship laws."

Working through the Paint Producer Stewardship Initiative, the American Coatings Association supported passage of the nation's first paint stewardship law in Oregon and established PaintCare in 2009. PaintCare sites accept house paint as well as primers, stains, sealers, and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. They have established this program in 12 states and the District of Columbia.

As Illinois' program grows, at least 90% of Illinois residents will have a collection site, service or event within a 15-mile radius of their home free of charge. PaintCare estimates it will recycle roughly 1 million gallons in its first year. Consumers can find drop-off sites in their area on PaintCare's website.

Holmes suggests this may bring more traffic into participating retailers' stores, at a time when so much purchasing is done online.

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