Going Green With Paint...But Not Like You Think

All this talk about how much trouble our environment is in, had me moving towards making some of my own personal changes in how I waste less not just in my personal home but at the store as well. As we continue to move our company towards a more "greener" or conscious approach to doing things, you can imagine how excited I must have been when I discovered a better alternative to paint disposal.

We've all been there, many of us have unused paint cluttering our basement or garage just waiting to never be used again. I have an entire cabinet full of old paints! If finding creative ways to use up leftover paint is not up your alley, instead of just leaving the paint to collect dust, the best option is to recycle it.
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PaintCare is the paint recycling program in Colorado that makes it easy for consumers and businesses to drop off their unused, unwanted paint for free recycling at more than 150 participating locations, 13 of which are located in Colorado Springs.

The drop-off sites are located mostly at paint and hardware stores. Paint drop-off sites accept all paint brands, regardless of when or where they were purchased as long as the paint is still in its original container with an original label on it. Items that can be dropped off include most house paints, primers, stains, sealers, and clear top coatings (varnish and shellac). Drop-off sites are open year-round during each retail location’s regular business hours.

PaintCare’s partners then transport the collected paint from the drop-off sites to processing facilities, where it is remixed into recycled-content paint, used as fuel, made into other products or, in the case of some unrecyclable paint, it will be dried out and properly disposed.

So, next time you think about tossing your leftover paint in the trash, take it to a PaintCare drop-off site to be recycled instead.

For more information about PaintCare and to find a PaintCare drop-off site near you, visit www.paintcare.org.
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