Bill > H886

This bill establishes a comprehensive paint recycling program in Massachusetts that requires manufacturers to create and implement a stewardship plan for collecting and recycling postconsumer architectural paint and aerosol coating products. The program mandates that manufacturers submit a detailed plan to the Department of Environmental Protection within 12 months of the law's effective date, which must outline the types of paint covered, establish collection site goals, describe management practices, and provide consumer education efforts. Manufacturers or their representative organizations must ensure that paint products cannot be sold in the state without an approved recycling plan, and they must include a per-container fee in the product's purchase price to cover program costs. The bill defines key terms like "postconsumer paint" (paint no longer wanted by a purchaser) and establishes that collection sites cannot charge additional fees for paint disposal. The program aims to make paint recycling more accessible and environmentally responsible by creating a standardized, statewide system for managing paint waste, with provisions that protect manufacturers from antitrust claims and ensure financial data remains confidential. Importantly, the bill allows household waste generators and very small quantity generators to transport paint to collection sites, thus making recycling more convenient for consumers.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H886