2017 R3 Conference - MASSPSC, Session 1

1. Connecticut Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection
Paint Stewardship In
Connecticut
Convenient, Accessible and
Successful

2. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Paint Management Before PaintCare
• Oil-based paint managed through Household
Hazardous Waste Collections
• Estimated cost of $700,000 per year
statewide
• Latex paint not accepted at HHW – dry it out
and trash it!
• Survey found 90% of CT residents had
unwanted paint - estimated 4-6 million
gallons.

3. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Law Origins
• PaintCare Stewardship Law passed in
Connecticut in 2011 (unanimous)
• Program Plan approved by DEEP in 2013
• Program began collecting paint July 1,
2013

4. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Program Components
• Funded by fee at point of sale (fee approved by
DEEP)
– 75 cents gallon
– $1.50 on five gallon
– 35 cents on a quart
• Emphasis on recycling
• Convenient and accessible
• All paint manufacturers must join the stewardship
organization – submit a plan to be approved by DEEP
• Reporting to the Department on progress

5. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Starting Up
• Stakeholder Meetings
• Hire local coordinator
• Recruit retailers for drop off
• Contract with HHW as drop sites
• Permits for drop sites
• Hire haulers (Clean Harbors and CRX)
• Promotion - “soft rollout” to manage
pent up demand

6. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Infrastructure
• 140 drop off sites
102 retailers
38 Transfer Stations
• HHW collection events and
permanent sites
• 99% of state population within 15
miles of a drop site.

7. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Results 2015-2016
• 320,000 gallons collected
• 77% latex – 80% recycled into
paint
• 23% oil based – fuel blended
• 209 tons of containers recycled
• 5.1% collection rate (percent of
paint sold) – below other states

8. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Collection Summary
• 2014 – 240,000 gallons
2015 – 275,000 gallons
2016 – 320,000 gallons
• 21 private sector jobs
• Green House Gas emissions
savings – 189,000 kg of carbon
equivalent
• Financially sound – no fee increase
needed.

9. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Perceptions/Realities
• Generally well received by the public, retail drop
points, municipalities.
• People are not driving to Massachusetts to avoid
the fee.
• Well administered and promoted by PaintCare.
• Connecticut is collecting less paint per capita than
other states but that has kept costs down.
• Options for working regionally in administration.
• Some folks see the eco fee as a tax and think the
state gets the money.
• 21 private sector jobs created

10. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Questions?
Enter Name – Tom Metzner
Enter Email – tom.metzner@ct.gov
Enter Phone – (860) 424-3242
www.paintcare.org