Maryland is finally tackling that stash of half-used paint cans in your basement. A new statewide recycling program, launched Wednesday, lets residents and businesses drop off leftover paint for free, to keep it out of curbside trash and local landfills. The program covers common household and commercial architectural paints, from interior latex to oil-based varnish, and is funded by a small fee added to many new paint purchases. At the same time, the state keeps an eye on how the system runs.
As reported by PR Newswire, PaintCare, a nonprofit created by paint manufacturers, marked the rollout at a press event in Annapolis and will run Maryland's network of drop-off locations, with oversight from the Maryland Department of the Environment. Organizers say the service is meant to be a year-round option, far more convenient than waiting for a seasonal hazardous-waste event. PaintCare officials estimate the program will collect roughly 350,000 gallons of paint in its first year in the state.
How the program works
Drop-off sites will be located at participating paint and hardware stores, local government facilities, and some reuse shops. Staff at those locations will accept paint that arrives in its original container with the original label still attached. Most customers can bring up to 5 gallons per visit. Businesses or contractors holding 100 gallons or more can arrange a free pickup, according to PaintCare. The nonprofit also offers an online site locator and a hotline so Marylanders can look up nearby collection points and double-check hours and limits before heading out.
What you can and can't drop off
The program takes a broad range of architectural coatings, including interior and exterior paints, primers, stains, sealers, and varnishes. It does not accept aerosol spray paints, arts-and-crafts paints, automotive or marine coatings, or industrial products, as reported by The Baltimore Banner. Cans must be sealed, not leaking, and in reasonably safe condition, and staff can turn away containers that appear unsafe. For paint that is still usable, organizers urge residents to look for reuse or donation options first so the material gets a second life before it heads for processing.
How much it will cost
Dropping off leftover paint at collection sites is free. The cost of the program is covered by a PaintCare fee added to new paint sold in Maryland. The fee depends on container size: $0.50 for anything larger than a half-pint but smaller than a gallon, $1.15 for 1 to 2 gallon cans, and $2.25 for containers from 2 to 5 gallons, according to PaintCare. Retailers usually add the charge at the register, and the money pays for collection, transportation, recycling, and public education.
Where to bring paint in Maryland
Marylanders can track down participating locations using the PaintCare online locator or by calling the program hotline at (855) PAINT09, The Baltimore Banner notes. Availability still varies by county, and some jurisdictions continue to lean on seasonal household hazardous-waste events, so program organizers recommend calling ahead to confirm hours and to make sure a site can accept your specific products. Some retail partners may be able to take larger volumes, but ask customers to call first so staff can prepare for safe handling.
Why this matters
State officials say the program should cut down on hazardous materials in regular trash and landfills while increasing the reuse of leftover paint. Much of the latex paint collected is remixed into a recycled-content product that can be sold or donated. The initiative grew out of the Maryland Paint Stewardship law passed in 2024 and will be reviewed by the Maryland Department of the Environment as part of the state's broader move toward extended producer responsibility, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment. For details on what is accepted, drop-off rules, and how to request a pickup, residents are directed to program materials from PaintCare and state regulators.
