Maryland's PaintCare Program: What You Need to Know
Maryland has approved a new PaintCare Program, beginning April 1st, 2026, creating a statewide system for recycling and managing leftover architectural paint. For contractors, this change will directly affect how paint is purchased, handled on the jobsite, and disposed of after completion.
PaintCare is a nonprofit organization funded by paint manufacturers to manage post-consumer paint through reuse, recycling, or energy recovery. Instead of storing unused material or navigating disposal rules yourself, eligible paint will be returned through a structured statewide network.
Learn More About How the Program Works:
What Products Are Covered?
The program will accept common architectural coatings such as interior/exterior paints, primers, stains/sealers, and clear coatings like shellac and varnish. All materials must be in their original labeled containers, five gallons or smaller, with secure lids.
See the Full List of Accepted Products:
PaintCare Fee
With the upcoming launch of the program in Maryland, a mandatory fee will be added to the purchase price of architectural paint sold in the state.
For contractors, this means:
- Paint pricing will include a small per-container fee
- The fee is set by the PaintCare program, not by McCormick Paints
- It is not a tax and is not refundable when returning leftover paint
- It will fund statewide recycling, drop-off sites, and pickup services
Review Full Fee & Program Details
PaintCare's Impact on Jobsites
With the implementation of PaintCare in Maryland, contractors will have additional options for managing leftover architectural paint.
Drop off accepted paint products (up to 5-gallons per container) at participating PaintCare locations
Schedule pickup for larger quantities of paint, typically 100 gallons or more
Materials collected through the program are directed toward reuse, recycling, or energy recovery through approved processors
Contractors should continue to follow project-specific handling and storage practices until paint is returned through the PaintCare collection network.
What This Means for Your Business
The program also introduces a standardized process for managing leftover architectural coatings purchased in Maryland.
A PaintCare fee will be included in the purchase price of eligible paint containers
Accepted products may be returned to participating drop-off locations
Pickup services may be available for larger quantities of leftover paint