ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A new paint recycling charge that took effect across Maryland on April 1 is drawing backlash from some lawmakers and residents, raising questions about transparency and oversight.
The charge, part of the state’s new PaintCare program, adds a per-container fee to paint purchases at checkout. Depending on container size, consumers now pay about $0.50 for small containers, around $1.25 for 1–2 gallon cans, and up to $2.25 for 5-gallon buckets.
The program is intended to fund statewide paint recycling efforts, allowing residents to drop off leftover paint at designated locations at no additional cost.
However, criticism has emerged over how the program is structured and who is managing the funds. Del. Ryan Nawrocki has raised concerns, alleging the money is being directed to an out-of-state nonprofit organization.
“You can’t make this up,” Nawrocki said. “They’ll audit you… but not themselves.”
The program is operated by PaintCare, a nonprofit created by paint manufacturers that manages similar recycling efforts in multiple states. The program was established under state law and operates with oversight from Maryland environmental regulators.
Supporters say the initiative helps reduce environmental waste and shifts disposal costs away from local governments. Critics, however, argue the setup raises accountability concerns, particularly when fees are collected from Maryland consumers but managed by an organization based outside the state.
As the charge begins appearing on receipts statewide, questions remain about oversight and whether additional legislative review may follow.
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Democrats are taxing paint cans now. Is there anything the Democrats can’t tax us to death with?
This new paint tax is just a way of the tax and spend liberal governor who wants to just bleed hard working maylanders dry.
Communist Republic of Maryland under Governor SpendMoore.
Latex paint does not get recycled . You let it dry in the can and throw it in the trash. Its not a hazardous waste and is water based. Who thought this bonnedoggle up ??
If it exists in Maryland, “Tax It”! Gov. SpendMoore’s new campaign slogan.
“the money is being directed to an out-of-state nonprofit organization”, sounds legit, non-profits are sooo profitable.
Now, about the environment. How much paint will end up in the dump (via trash can pickups), wind up thrown out of cars like burger wrappers and cups or just dumped out in the woods, all to keep from paying again for something our tax dollars were already intended pay for?
Unlike deposits on soda bottles and soda cans that some states have initiated to incentivize the public to return the items for recycling and get their deposits back this charge does nothing to change the buyers disposal habits. It’s just another tax.
The next thing Democrats will tax is air.