Finally! New Paint Recycling Program Underway in New York State

There's always been two things I never knew how to recycle: batteries and used paint cans. While I recently learned about several battery recycling programs here, paint remained a mystery. Until now,

Recycling Used Paint Cans in New York

The news couldn't have come at a better time, because we have a lot of them. My wife and I moved into our house in Newburgh, NY last June, and since then we've repainted every room in the house. After our most recent kitchen project, two more gallon-sized paint cans joined our pile in our basement, waiting to be disposed. Luckily, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in New York State has recently launched their Postconsumer Paint Collection Program.

New York State's Postconsumer Paint Collection Program

While laws about paint recycling were signed in 2019, the new program just took effect on May 1st, 2022. Most importantly for consumers, it creates designated sites for New York residents to drop off used residential paint containers. This includes both oil and latex-based "architectural" paints you would use both inside and outside your home. From the DEC:

Paints include interior and exterior architectural coatings sold in containers of five gallons or less including house paint and primers (latex or oil-based), stains, deck and concrete sealers, and clear finishes (e.g., varnishes, shellacs)

Here's how you can take advantage of the program in the Hudson Valley:

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 Postconsumer Paint Collection Program in the Hudson Valley, NY

Luckily, there are many participating retailers in the Hudson Valley for you to use the next time you need to recycle your paint. Most Sherwin Williams locations are participating, including their Newburgh, Monroe, Poughkeepsie, and Wappingers Falls, NY locations. PPG Paints and Herzogs Paint Centers in Poughkeepsie, NY will accept your used cans as well. Find a full list on the paint programs website.

And speaking of painting your home, check out the jaw-dropping home for sale in New Paltz, NY with its very own nature preserve, and the Kingston, NY castle with a secret tunnel below.