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Committee advances paint stewardship bill after industry and recycler testimony
Summary
Committee released S-2433 to create a paint stewardship program; industry and recyclers testified that PaintCare-style programs reduce county costs and increase recycling, while witnesses said the program can operate at no net cost to taxpayers.
The Senate Environment and Energy Committee voted to release S-2433, a paint stewardship measure intended to create a manufacturer-funded system for collection and recycling of leftover paint.
Witnesses representing recyclers and industry described experience with PaintCare programs in other states. Gary Sundemeyer, vice president of operations for Bayshore Recycling and representing the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, said county governments currently spend more than $1.5 million annually to manage paint and that a producer-funded program would alleviate that burden and increase recycling rates. Industry witnesses from the Chemistry Council and the American Coatings Association told the committee the program has worked in other states and would be zero cost to state taxpayers because the program reimburses agency oversight costs.
Andrew Raiden (PaintCare) outlined operational results from New York: about 2 million gallons recovered since 2022 and more than 350 drop-off sites established, with examples of municipal and county savings. Committee members accepted the testimony and released the bill with bipartisan support.
The committee asked interested parties to submit written comments and scheduled implementation and oversight details to be defined during subsequent legislative steps.
