COLORADO - Most of us remember to recycle cans, bottles, and newspapers, but what about the half-empty paint cans collecting dust in the garage or under the sink—waiting to be used just one more time? When that leftover paint finally sees the light of day, many of us don’t know how to properly dispose of it. It is estimated that Americans generate more than 80 million gallons of leftover paint each year that could be reused or recycled rather than taking up space in your home. 

In celebration of Earth Day, we are encouraging Coloradans to take action by participating in PaintCare’s “3 Simple Rules for Painting Smarter.” First, buy only what you need. Second, use up what you have. And finally, if you still have leftover paint, recycle the rest. With these three easy steps, together we can reduce waste and give new life to leftover paint products while we help to protect our environment and communities.

Buy only what you need: Determining the right amount of paint for your next project can be tricky. Before painting, determining specifics such as the square footage of the area, if it is a big color change that requires primer, or if it’s a smooth or textured surface can help when estimating how much paint is needed for the job at hand. 

Use up what you have: Before making a trip to the store, make the most of the paint you already have. Your leftover paint could bring new life to a room, piece of furniture or décor. If you still have paint left over, try finding someone else who might have a use for it, like a local artist or community group. 

Recycle the rest: Colorado has more than 200 PaintCare drop off sites (https://www.paintcare.org/states/colorado/) where households and businesses can take unwanted paint, stain, and varnish. Once collected, the paint is either reused, mixed into new recycled paint, or put to other beneficial uses. Most latex-based paint is transported to processing facilities, where it is mixed into recycled-content paint, made available through reuse programs, or repurposed for other applications. PaintCare also partners with community organizations and reuse stores like Habitat for Humanity ReStore to make leftover paint more accessible.

Earth Day is a great time to commit to taking your leftover paint to a PaintCare drop-off site for recycling, but it’s not the only opportunity. PaintCare hosts one-day drop-off and giveaway events year-round, where people can safely dispose of leftover paint, and sometimes even take quality paint home for free.

This Earth Day, let’s rethink how we approach our paint projects and what we do with our leftover paint. Take precautions when planning projects and only buy the right amount for the job. Instead of letting leftover paint sit or go to waste, use it up on projects around the house or give it away to friends and neighbors. And, even when you have to properly dispose of some leftover paint, you can do it responsibly. Recycling and reusing paint can make a big impact for your home, your community, and the planet.