Washington Architectural Paint Stewardship Program Law requires retailers of paint to include a stewardship fee (referred to as the PaintCare fee) in the sale price of program products, only sell products registered with the program, and provide information about the program to consumers when they purchase architectural paint. Retailers may also volunteer to become a paint drop-off site – see bottom of page for more information. More details about the three requirements are provided here:
a. Pass PaintCare fee to consumers: PaintCare programs are funded by a fee (referred to as the PaintCare fee) which is applied to the purchase price of new paint sold in the state. Once the program launches, the fee is paid to PaintCare by paint manufacturers. This fee is then added to the wholesale and retail purchase price of paint, and retailers must pass these fees down to the consumer.
The fee is based on container size as follows:
Container Size | Fee |
Half pint or smaller | $0.00 |
Larger than half pint up to smaller than 1 gallon | $0.45 |
1 gallon up to 2 gallons | $0.95 |
Larger than 2 gallons up to 5 gallons | $1.95 |
b.Sell Registered brands: Once the program launches, retailers must make sure they do not sell unregistered architectural paint brands. PaintCare will post lists of registered manufacturers and brands on this page once it has submitted its program plan to Washington State Department of Ecology. If you are a retailer and do not see a manufacturer or brand of paint sold in your store on these lists, please contact PaintCare at (855) PAINT09.
c. Provide information to consumers: Once the program launches, retailers must provide information about the paint stewardship program and recycling opportunities in Washington to consumers when they purchase architectural paint. PaintCare will provide program brochures, stores posters and other materials to help retailers meet this requirement. See ordering information below.