Launched on April 1, 2026, this industry-led nonprofit initiative is here to help you finally clear out those old cans of paint, stain, and varnish cluttering your garage. By making recycling easier than ever, the program aims to recover 350,000 gallons in its first year alone—keeping harmful materials out of our landfills and protecting the delicate ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay. From our blue crabs to our oysters, everyone wins when we "Paint Smarter".

Recycling your leftover paint is now a breeze! You no longer have to wait for monthly household hazardous waste collection events; instead, you can drop off architectural coatings daily at participating local retailers like McCormick Paints in Waldorf during their regular business hours. Whether you have a few half-empty quarts or several five-gallon buckets, just ensure they are in their original containers with a legible label. For those massive projects with 100 gallons or more, PaintCare even offers a free Large Volume Pickup (LVP) service.

Best of all, there is no charge to drop off your paint for recycling because the program is already funded by a small fee included in the price of new paint purchased in Maryland. These fees—ranging from $0.50 to $2.25 based on container size—ensure that transportation and processing are covered for the whole community.

Ready to reclaim your storage space? Find your nearest drop-off site today at https://www.paintcare.org/drop-off-sites/ and help us keep Charles County beautiful!

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CHARLES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DIVISION | 10430 Audie Lane, La Plata, MD • 301-932-5656 (MD Relay 7-1-1)