New Paint Collection Program Enacted In Maine, Effective In 2015

Joining a growing list of western and New England states, Maine has just enacted a paint collection program for “post-consumer” paint. The law establishes the framework for a program – but it is unlikely to be established before July 1, 2015.

The good news: The program should apply to paint that a purchaser or user wishes to dispose of, regardless of hazard, and should be available to businesses as well as individuals. The limits: Containers of five gallons or less, and excludes industrial, original equipment or specialty coatings. The expected news: Fees will be added to the sale of new paint to fund the collection and recycling or disposal, projected to be in the range of 75 cents per gallon, or $1.60 per five-gallon container.