Paint Recycling

If you're like most people, you have some leftover paint hanging around in a corner of your basement or garage. Thanks to a new legislation in Vermont, recycling leftover paint is now free and more convenient for Vermonters. 


CVSWMD collects paint at its Additional Recyclables Collection Center (ARCC) See our ARCC page for complete details and directions.
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There are a number of sites throughout Vermont that will collect up to 5 gallons of paint at a time for no charge. Click here to find a location near you.

Many paint stores now take back paint, stain, and varnish year-round during their regular business hours as part of the PaintCare program. The program is free for all households and most businesses. To find participating drop-off locations and details about which products are accepted, please visit www.paintcare.org or call (855) 724-6809.

What products are covered? Click here to see a list of items that can be accepted at a PaintCare drop off site.

All manufacturers of architectural paint who wish to sell paint in Vermont will have to participate in an approved paint stewardship program plan. Architectural paint is defined as interior and exterior architectural coatings. This includes interior and exterior water and oil based coatings, primers, sealers and wood coatings that are sold in containers of five gallons or less.  


According to the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, an average of 2.3 gallons of paint is sold per person per year in the United States, of which, 10% is unused leftovers. Less than half of that is collected for proper disposal or recycling. Through Vermont’s new paint stewardship legislation, paint recycling and disposal will be handled by a paint stewardship organization funded by paint manufacturers. ​

Learn more about Act 58, Vermont's Paint Product Stewardship Legislation.