via press release
Fourth U.S. State to Adopt Law Projected to Save Local Governments Millions
PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee has signed into law the nation’s fourth program requiring paint manufacturers to safely manage leftover latex and oil-based paint from households and painting contractors. The legislation was supported by the paint industry and resulted from a multi-stakeholder negotiation facilitated by the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI).
The bill, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio and Representative Donna Walsh, will slash tax dollars spent on paint disposal, increase recycling jobs, and reduce waste. Similar laws have also passed in Oregon, California, and Connecticut in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively.
“With the new program established in the Paint Producer Responsibility Law, Rhode Island will have convenient options for residents to safely recycle or dispose of unwanted paint by taking it to a participating retailer or household hazardous waste program,” said DEM Director Janet Coit, director of Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management. “Thanks to the cooperation of the paint industry, we will be able to increase our recycling, save money for municipalities, and provide a valuable service to our citizens. All at no cost to state taxpayers.”
The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 10 percent of all paint purchased in the United States becomes leftover – around 64 million gallons annually. The cost for municipalities to manage leftover consumer paint averages $8 per gallon, making paint a half a billion dollar per year management cost. As a result of this law, Rhode Island could reap financial benefits up to $1.7 million annually if all 220,000 gallons of leftover paint available each year in Rhode Island is collected and recycled.
“This law is a great example of how government and industry can work together to turn waste into a new product, save Rhode Island taxpayers millions of dollars, and add recycling jobs,” said Scott Cassel, PSI’s Chief Executive Officer. “It shows that regulation can stimulate innovation and increase the supply of a valuable commodity by setting a level playing field.”
“ACA is pleased to have Rhode Island as the fourth state in the US to implement the PaintCare program. PaintCare will provide Rhode Island residents convenient access to locations throughout the state where they can easily return unused paint for recycling and proper disposal,” said Alison Keane, Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Coatings Association.
The bill calls for the creation of a statewide leftover paint stewardship program that would be managed by a stewardship organization. The program would be funded by an assessment on retail paint products, which would cover the cost of paint collection, reuse, recycling, and the safe disposal of remaining unusable paint. In addition, the legislation mandates the establishment of convenient collection sites throughout Rhode Island, as well as comprehensive consumer education and outreach efforts.
“I am so pleased to see progress on reducing our waste stream, and turning a problem into a solution. People can rid their houses of the stockpiles of old paint, while also spurring the growth of a new recycled paint industry in the Northeast. It is great to see the producers looking out for the consumers, and Rhode Island’s General Assembly continuing to play a leading role in promoting producer responsibility,” added Director Coit.
“All at no cost to state taxpayers”
“The program would be funded by an assessment on retail paint products”
These 2 statements do not seem to jive. Assessment equals taxation, it would seem to me. Lets call a spade a spade.