WASHINGTON, D.C. — PaintCare, the nonprofit organization created by the American Coatings Association to make it easy for households and businesses to recycle leftover paint, today announced the launch of a new artificial intelligence–powered product recognition tool designed to help paint consumers quickly determine whether their leftover products are accepted at PaintCare drop off locations.
Developed in partnership with the technology company Rubbish, the tool uses image recognition to identify common paint and paint related products and provide guidance on whether they are covered by the PaintCare program. By simply granting camera access or uploading a photo, users can receive instant feedback on whether their item is accepted for recycling, reuse, or proper disposal at a nearby PaintCare drop off site.
“PaintCare’s new product recognition tool reflects the coatings industry’s long tradition of forward thinking innovation and responsible product stewardship,” said Mike Johnson, President and CEO of the American Coatings Association. “By pairing PaintCare’s proven stewardship model with cutting edge AI, we’re giving paint users a simple, intuitive tool to understand what they can bring to PaintCare’s drop off sites. It’s another example of how the coatings industry and PaintCare continue to lead with solutions that reduce waste, increase reuse, and make recycling more accessible for everyone.”
The tool is designed to complement PaintCare’s existing online resources, including the popular Drop Off Site Locator, which connects users to more than 3,000 year round drop off locations across 12 states and the District of Columbia. The new tool adds a new layer of convenience by helping users identify products before they arrive at a site, reducing confusion, improving efficiency, and supporting a smoother recycling experience.
“When people are sorting through leftover products in their garage or basement, it can be hard to know what’s accepted. This tool removes that confusion by providing instant guidance on postconsumer paints and coatings, strengthening communication about program products,” said Marjaneh Zarrehparvar, President of PaintCare. “We are excited to offer this tool to help streamline the paint recycling process and save time for paint consumers.”
How PaintCare Product Recognition Tool Works
- Users visit paintcare.org/rubbish and follow the link to open the AI tool.
- They will need to grant access to their device’s camera or upload a photo.
- The tool analyzes the image and identifies whether the product is accepted by PaintCare.
- Users receive guidance on next steps, including reminders to check with their local drop off site for final confirmation.
While the AI-powered product recognition tool provides helpful direction, PaintCare emphasizes that results are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. Users should always confirm acceptance details, including product type and quantity, directly with their chosen drop off site. Additional information on accepted products can be found at www.paintcare.org/products.
“Technology like this product recognition tool helps us meet people where they are,” said Brett Rodgers, PaintCare’s Vice President of Communications. “Whether someone is cleaning out a garage, wrapping up a renovation, or sorting through old supplies, this tool gives them a quick way to understand what they can recycle. It’s another step toward making responsible paint management the norm.”
The tool is designed for broad use. From homeowners sorting through old products in their garage to contractors managing job site leftovers. Community partners, including municipalities and environmental organizations, can also use the tool to support public education.
“We’re proud to collaborate with PaintCare on a tool that makes sustainability more intuitive,” said Emin Israfil, CEO, Rubbish Co. “Our goal is to help people make informed decisions quickly, and PaintCare’s leadership in paint stewardship makes them an ideal partner for this kind of innovation.”
PaintCare offers convenient, year round recycling options for leftover paint, stain, and varnish. Since it began, PaintCare has managed an estimated 90 million gallons of postconsumer paint across participating states, working closely with paint retailers, local governments, and community partners to build a robust, accessible recycling infrastructure.
About PaintCare
PaintCare is committed to making it easy and convenient for households, businesses, and institutions to recycle leftover paint in states with paint stewardship laws. A nonprofit organization created by paint companies through the American Coatings Association, PaintCare sets up drop off locations for leftover paint, arranges for recycling and proper disposal, and conducts public education. More than 90 million gallons of paint, stain, and varnish have been managed by PaintCare across 12 states and the District of Columbia. To learn more about PaintCare or to find a local drop off site, visit paintcare.org.
About Rubbish
Rubbish has established itself as an industry leader in deploying innovative technology for resource recovery, litter abatement, waste management, public infrastructure maintenance, and environmental data gathering. Visit www.rubbish.love to learn more.