CALIFORNIA — October 29, 2026. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) approved an amendment to PaintCare’s California Architectural Paint Stewardship Program Plan on October 15, 2026, according to an official Notice of Exemption posted October 23. The nonprofit PaintCare administers the statewide program on behalf of participating paint manufacturers.

What does PaintCare do?

California’s paint-stewardship program is designed to reduce leftover paint waste by promoting reuse, collection, recovery and recycling. Since 2012, PaintCare has supported public drop-off locations for postconsumer paint across the state. Residents and businesses can use the program to locate appropriate collection opportunities, subject to specific site and product acceptance rules.

What was approved in October?

PaintCare submitted its proposed program-plan amendment on July 1, 2026. CalRecycle approved the amendment on October 15 and filed the environmental notice the following week. The short published summary confirms the approval, but does not specify a new drop-off location, a changed fee for every product or a mandatory home pickup program. Those details must be checked in the approved plan and the official location finder.

Where can California residents recycle leftover paint?

Use the PaintCare drop-off location finder to search for participating sites and accepted paint types. Hours, capacity and restrictions vary by location, and some facilities may require an appointment. Do not pour leftover paint into storm drains, household sinks or natural waterways.

Why local newspapers should follow this

Access to safe disposal varies between larger cities and remote communities. County-level reporting should identify actual nearby locations, verify their status and explain locally applicable household hazardous-waste rules rather than assume that every hardware store participates.

Primary source: CalRecycle — PaintCare California Paint Stewardship Program Plan Amendment, SCH 2026100988, approved October 15, posted October 23, 2026.

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