VIDEO: ‘We’re pivoting from a take, make, and waste economy:’ A highly successful paint recycling program shows how extended producer responsibility reduces waste, protects human and environmental health

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A state law that went into effect in 2020 promoting product stewardship dramatically reduced the amount of oil-based paint sent to the regional landfill in Maple Valley, preventing waste and protecting the natural environment in King County.

An estimated 15,000 gallons of oil-based paint were sent to Cedar Hills Regional Landfill in 2019, a year before the state law applied the principles of extended producer responsibility. There was almost none when King County’s Solid Waste Division measured again in 2023. More than 680,000 gallons of paint were recycled statewide last year. 

Extended producer responsibility is a policy approach that places greater responsibility on companies to manage the lifecycle of a product. From design to disposal, extended producer responsibility tasks producers in Washington with finding innovative ways to ensure the proper management of products such as paint and batteries.

“Producers, governments, and consumers – we all have a shared responsibility to ensure that products are managed and disposed of properly,” said Maythia Airhart, Director of the Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County. “Extended producer responsibility uses policy and regulations to require producers to take on this responsibility and expands access to recycling and disposal services for the public. This allows everyone to play a part in protecting public health and the environment in our region.”

Extended producer responsibility is a pillar of Re+, a King County initiative to transition the region’s waste system to a sustainable circular economy, simultaneously cutting greenhouse gas emissions and protecting human and environmental health.

Like other common household products, paint needs to be used, stored, and disposed of correctly to protect human and environmental health. Oil-based paints contain ingredients that can cause throat and lung irritation and damage if breathed in or accidentally swallowed. Chemicals in oil-based paints can also gas off volatile organic compounds that pollute the air. 

Latex paints are less toxic but are often disposed of incorrectly, which can damage drains and pollute waterways.

“Many people in Washington have old cans of paint in their garages and storerooms and this law helps make it easy for people to turn that paint in for it to be recycled. This helps reduce greenhouses gases, both associated with the manufacturing and transport of the new paint but also reduces the load at the landfill where the paint can off gas harmful chemicals,” said Heather Trim, Executive Director of Zero Waste Washington.

The Legislature in 2019 passed a law that established an industry-led program to ensure the management of leftover paint.

“By partnering with paint producers, we’re able to make it easier for people to get rid of their leftover paint, and keep paint out of the landfills,” said Rep. Strom Peterson (D-21), who sponsored the paint stewardship bill passed in 2019 that established an industry-led program to ensure the management of leftover paint. “The passage of the paint stewardship law is a successful example of how producers can take more responsibility for the waste their products generate.”