PaintCare Paint Stewardship Fees: State-by-State Paint Recycling Fee Schedule
Reference for PaintCare paint stewardship fees across U.S. states with paint stewardship laws. Fees fund collection, recycling, and proper disposal of post-consumer architectural paint.
This is a regulated fee — required or governed by law in the jurisdictions below.
Overview
Thirteen U.S. states and the District of Columbia have enacted paint stewardship legislation requiring paint manufacturers to fund post-consumer paint collection and recycling programs. PaintCare, the nonprofit stewardship organization created by the American Coatings Association, administers these programs. A per-container fee is added at the point of sale on architectural paint (interior and exterior house paint, stains, and coatings). The fee is not a tax or deposit — it funds collection sites, transportation, recycling, and program administration. Drop-off at PaintCare sites is free for consumers.
Fee schedule by jurisdiction
13 jurisdictions with active fee requirements.
| Jurisdiction | Fee |
|---|---|
| California | $0.30 (≤1 gal); $0.65 (1–2 gal); $1.50 (2–5 gal) |
| Colorado | $0.35 (≤1 gal); $0.75 (1–2 gal); $1.60 (2–5 gal) |
| Connecticut | $0.50 (≤1 gal); $1.15 (1–2 gal); $2.25 (2–5 gal) |
| District of Columbia | $0.30 (≤1 gal); $0.70 (1–2 gal); $1.60 (2–5 gal) |
| Illinois | $0.45 (≤1 gal); $0.95 (1–2 gal); $1.95 (2–5 gal) |
| Maine | $0.50 (≤1 gal); $1.10 (1–2 gal); $2.00 (2–5 gal) |
| Maryland | $0.50 (≤1 gal); $1.15 (1–2 gal); $2.25 (2–5 gal) |
| Minnesota | $0.49 (≤1 gal); $0.99 (1–2 gal); $1.99 (2–5 gal) |
| New York | $0.45 (≤1 gal); $0.95 (1–2 gal); $1.95 (2–5 gal) |
| Oregon | $0.45 (≤1 gal); $0.95 (1–2 gal); $1.95 (2–5 gal) |
| Rhode Island | $0.35 (≤1 gal); $0.75 (1–2 gal); $1.60 (2–5 gal) |
| Vermont | $0.65 (≤1 gal); $1.35 (1–2 gal); $2.45 (2–5 gal) |
| Washington | $0.65 (≤1 gal); $1.45 (1–2 gal); $2.75 (2–5 gal) |
California
$0.30 (≤1 gal); $0.65 (1–2 gal); $1.50 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in California
Colorado
$0.35 (≤1 gal); $0.75 (1–2 gal); $1.60 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in Colorado
Fee increase effective April 1, 2026
Connecticut
$0.50 (≤1 gal); $1.15 (1–2 gal); $2.25 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in Connecticut
Fee increase effective January 1, 2026
District of Columbia
$0.30 (≤1 gal); $0.70 (1–2 gal); $1.60 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in D.C.
Illinois
$0.45 (≤1 gal); $0.95 (1–2 gal); $1.95 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in Illinois
Maine
$0.50 (≤1 gal); $1.10 (1–2 gal); $2.00 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in Maine
Fee increase effective October 1, 2025
Maryland
$0.50 (≤1 gal); $1.15 (1–2 gal); $2.25 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in Maryland
PaintCare program launching April 1, 2026
Effective Apr 1, 2026
Minnesota
$0.49 (≤1 gal); $0.99 (1–2 gal); $1.99 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in Minnesota
New York
$0.45 (≤1 gal); $0.95 (1–2 gal); $1.95 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in New York
Oregon
$0.45 (≤1 gal); $0.95 (1–2 gal); $1.95 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in Oregon
Rhode Island
$0.35 (≤1 gal); $0.75 (1–2 gal); $1.60 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in Rhode Island
Vermont
$0.65 (≤1 gal); $1.35 (1–2 gal); $2.45 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in Vermont
Washington
$0.65 (≤1 gal); $1.45 (1–2 gal); $2.75 (2–5 gal)
Architectural paint sold in Washington
Fee increase effective January 1, 2026. Highest PaintCare fees in the country.
Enforcement
Paint manufacturers and retailers operating in PaintCare states are required to participate in the program and apply fees. Non-compliance can result in enforcement actions from state environmental agencies, including fines and cease-and-desist orders.
Shopify compliance
This is a mandatory fee — merchants selling in covered jurisdictions are legally required to collect it. Shopify requires that mandatory fees be clearly disclosed to customers before checkout. Use a Shopify app like Magical Fees to automate collection and ensure compliance.
This information is maintained by the Magical Apps team and reviewed semi-annually. Always consult official government sources for the most current requirements.
Quick facts
- Regulation
- State Paint Stewardship Laws (PaintCare Programs)
- Country
- United States
- Jurisdictions
- 13
- Category
- Recycling Fees
Explore U.S. PaintCare Paint Stewardship Fees in practice
See how to automate this fee on Shopify and browse other regulations in this category.
Related use cases
Set up with Magical Fees on Shopify.
More recycling fees
Other regulations in this category.
Canadian Provincial Electronics Recycling Fees (EHFs)
Reference for provincial electronics handling fees (EHFs) and recycling programs in Canada. Several provinces charge point-of-sale fees on designated electronics; rates vary by product and province.
View fee schedule →United StatesU.S. Appliance Recycling and Disposal Fees
Reference for U.S. state appliance recycling and disposal fee programs, including advance disposal fees on new appliance purchases and mandatory retailer take-back requirements.
View fee schedule →United StatesCalifornia Covered Battery-Embedded (CBE) Waste Recycling Fee
Reference for California's Covered Battery-Embedded (CBE) Waste Recycling Fee requiring a 1.5% charge (capped at $15) on eligible products with built-in batteries, effective January 1, 2026.
View fee schedule →United StatesU.S. Carpet Recycling Fees (CARE Program)
Reference for the CARE (Carpet America Recovery Effort) carpet recycling assessment in California, requiring separately stated per-square-yard fees on carpet and carpet tile sold in the state.
View fee schedule →United StatesU.S. Electronics and E-Waste Recycling Fees
Reference for U.S. state electronics recycling and e-waste disposal programs. Twenty-five states plus D.C. have e-waste recycling laws; California is the only state that charges a consumer-facing fee at point of sale.
View fee schedule →Can't find what you're looking for?
We build custom solutions and love hearing from merchants. Tell us what you need.
Get in touch