Where to Purchase Recycled Paint

If you have leftover paint from any project, you have several options regarding what to do with it. You might wish to store it, use it for another upcoming task or donate it to a non-profit organization that helps build or repair homes for the needy. One thing you should never do with leftover paint, though, is dump it down a drain or toss it in the trash. Instead, find out if there is a paint recycler near you. This way to get rid of that paint allows it to be reused by someone else. The next time you need paint for a project, consider using recycled paint as well. Learn where to purchase recycled paint, an environmentally friendly option from which we all benefit.

You can purchase recycled paint at many major as well as smaller paint companies. For example, Kelly-Moore offers 16 ready-mixed colors of recycled paint for both interior and exterior use. The eCoat line of recycled paint is made using a minimum of 50 percent post-consumer paint. In addition, the manufacturing facility where Kelly-Moore creates its green paint products has won more environmental awards than other paint manufacturers. The eCoat line of recycled paint products is available in eight states. Find out if there is a location near you on their store locator page.

Dunn-Edwards is another major paint manufacturer from which you can purchase recycled paint as part of its product line. Their Recover brand is made with at least 50 percent post-consumer paint and is an environmentally friendly option of latex paint for interior and exterior use. Recover comes in six stock colors, but they do offer many other colors on request, although a minimum order is required. Dunn-Edwards brand is sold in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. To find a retailer near you, go to their store locator page.

MetroPaint, available in Oregon and Washington, offers 100 percent recycled paint. Their latex paints come in a variety of hues, although colors and quantities are subject to availability, so call ahead to make sure they have your color in stock. Check out their retail locations page to learn whether you can purchase recycled paint from MetroPaint in your area.

If you live near Chittenden County, Vermont, you can purchase recycled paint from the Chittenden Solid Waste District, which recycles up to 70 percent of the latex paint it collects through its hazardous waste program. Find locations on the CSWD Local Color webpage.

Even if none of these recycled paint manufacturers offers retail locations in your area, you may still be able to purchase recycled paint locally. Contact home improvement stores and retailers that only sell paint products and ask them if they offer recycled paint. Get in touch with your local waste collection department and see if they can refer you to a retailer who sells recycled paint. When retailers discover that consumers want to purchase recycled paint, they will begin to offer such options if they do not already.

Finally, when you have paint left over from a DIY project, check with your paint retailer to learn whether they collect paint to be recycled. You can also go to Earth911 and search for local paint recyclers. Once you find one, be sure to contact them and determine how they recycle paint. Choosing the greenest option is always the way to go.