(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Timothy Eustace, Annette Quijano and Benjie Wimberly to require every producer of architectural paint sold in the state to implement, or participate in a statewide architectural paint stewardship program cleared the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on Monday.
“Only five of the 21 counties in New Jersey accept latex paint for recycling and proper disposal,” said Eustace (D- Bergen, Passaic). “A paint stewardship program would take the burden off the counties and make it easier for residents to find a place, close to home, to recycle their leftover paint. It’s time we get these paints out of residents’ basements, recycled properly and reduce government spending.”
Eustace said, according to the chemistry council, New Jersey counties spent $1,464,909 on paint disposal, $224,496 in Bergen County alone.
Under the bill, every architectural paint producer, or a representative organization established on behalf of two or more such producers, to develop and implement a plan for an architectural paint stewardship program that is designed to minimize public sector involvement in the management of post-consumer of post-consumer architectural paint by reducing its generation, promoting its reuse and recycling and negotiating and executing agreements for its collection, transportation, reuse, recycling, burning for energy recovery, and disposal using environmentally sound management practices.
“Certain types of paint, paint thinners, and strippers containing extremely hazardous ingredients can be harmful to humans, animals, ground water, and the environment,” said Quijano (D-Union). “Paint disposal is extremely important and should always be handled with care.”
“Paint should never be thrown in the garbage, poured down the drain, or disposed of on the ground. A paint drop off site would be more convenient for households and businesses to recycle,” said Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic). “A coordinated effort organized by paint producers who understand the importance of recycling and know the best way to dispose of leftover paint is what New Jersey needs.”
The bill requires any plan to provide for convenient and available statewide collection programs and collection site locations – such that at least 90 percent of state residents have a permanent collection site within 15 miles of their residence.
Within one year after the date of enactment of the bill, every producer of architectural paint or any representative organization established under this bill, will be directed to prepare and submit to the commissioner, for approval, a plan for architectural paint stewardship program.
Similar legislation was approved by the legislature last session; however, it was subject to a pocket veto due to the Governor’s inaction.
The bill will now go to the Assembly Speaker for further consideration.