As we dive into the world of environmental innovation, I’m thrilled to sit down with Christopher Hailstone, a seasoned expert in energy management and renewable energy, who also brings a wealth of knowledge on utilities and producer responsibility initiatives. Today, we’re focusing on Illinois’ groundbreaking step as the 11th state to launch a paint stewardship program under PaintCare’s guidance. Our conversation explores the intricacies of managing massive volumes of paint, the community impact of accessible recycling options, the funding mechanisms behind the program, and how this initiative fits into the broader push for sustainable waste management in the state. Join us as we uncover the challenges, successes, and future potential of paint recycling in Illinois.
Can you tell us how Illinois became part of the paint stewardship movement with PaintCare, and share a story or data point that illustrates the early impact of these over 250 drop-off sites on local communities?
I’m really excited to talk about this because Illinois joining the paint stewardship movement as the 11th state is a significant milestone. The collaboration with PaintCare, a nonprofit formed by paint companies through the American Coatings Association, came about through years of advocacy and legislative groundwork, culminating in the 2023 law. I remember working with local environmental groups and the Illinois EPA to ensure the framework prioritized community access and ease of use. Just a few weeks after the launch on December 1, we’re already hearing heartwarming feedback—like in a small town near Springfield where a local hardware store became a drop-off site. Residents have dropped off hundreds of old paint cans that were cluttering garages for years, and the store manager told me it’s sparked conversations about recycling other materials too. It’s not just about clearing space; it’s about building a culture of sustainability one can at a time.
PaintCare anticipates managing around 1 million gallons of paint in Illinois during the first year. Could you walk us through the process of handling such a large volume, and maybe share a specific example of how paint is repurposed under the “highest, best use” policy?
Managing 1 million gallons of paint is no small feat, and it’s a testament to PaintCare’s streamlined system. The process starts with collection at over 250 drop-off sites, where paint is sorted and transported to processing facilities. There, it’s evaluated—some gets remixed into new usable paint, some is recycled into other products, and the rest is safely disposed of if it can’t be reused. The “highest, best use” policy guides every decision to maximize environmental benefit. I recall visiting a facility where leftover latex paint from Illinois homes was blended into a new batch for a community center’s renovation project. Seeing those drab walls come alive with color, knowing it came from what would’ve been waste, was incredibly rewarding. It’s labor-intensive, requiring skilled workers to test and blend, but it reduces landfill burden and saves resources. We’re constantly tweaking logistics to ensure paint doesn’t sit too long, preserving its potential for reuse.
The program in Illinois is partly funded by a fee on new paint sales, ranging from 45 cents to $1.95. How was this fee structure determined, and what kind of reactions have you seen from residents or businesses regarding its impact on their buying habits?
The fee structure was carefully crafted through stakeholder discussions involving paint manufacturers, retailers, and environmental advocates, ensuring it was fair and proportional to container size—45 cents for smaller cans up to $1.95 for larger ones. The goal was to cover program costs like collection and processing without placing an undue burden on consumers. We looked at other states’ models to strike that balance, aiming for transparency so buyers understand it’s funding recycling. Feedback so far has been mixed but mostly constructive; at a recent town hall, a contractor mentioned the fee nudged him to buy only what he needs, reducing waste upfront. Some residents initially grumbled about the added cost, but when they see a drop-off site in action, like at their local hardware store, they often come around, appreciating the convenience. It’s a slow shift in mindset, but I think it’s fostering more thoughtful consumption.
With the goal of ensuring 90% of Illinois residents have a paint collection site within a 15-mile radius, how is PaintCare tackling this ambitious target, and can you highlight a community that’s already seeing the benefits of a new drop-off location?
Meeting that 90% accessibility goal within a 15-mile radius is a bold commitment, and PaintCare is approaching it by strategically mapping population centers and partnering with retailers and local government facilities. We’ve conducted geographic analyses to identify gaps, then worked tirelessly to recruit drop-off sites in underserved areas, especially rural ones. It’s about building trust with partners who volunteer space, ensuring they feel supported with training and resources. A great example is a small community in southern Illinois, near Carbondale, where a county waste facility became a drop-off point just weeks after the program’s launch. Folks there used to drive over an hour to recycle paint, and now, I’ve heard stories of families making quick trips with old cans they’d hoarded for years. The relief in their voices, not having to store hazardous stuff anymore, is palpable, and it’s sparked local interest in expanding recycling options further.
Illinois passed its paint stewardship law in 2023, following pioneers like Oregon from 2007. How have lessons from earlier programs influenced Illinois’ approach, and can you share a specific hurdle that was overcome during the rollout here?
Learning from states like Oregon, which kicked off paint stewardship in 2007, has been invaluable for Illinois. Early programs taught us the importance of robust public education and retailer engagement—Oregon’s success with stakeholder collaboration showed us how to rally support from local businesses. We also saw how initial underfunding in some states slowed progress, so we pushed hard for a sustainable fee structure from the get-go. A specific challenge in Illinois was convincing rural retailers to join as drop-off sites; many worried about space and liability. I remember long meetings with a hardware chain in central Illinois, addressing their concerns one by one, offering training, and showing data on customer foot traffic increases from other states. Winning them over felt like a breakthrough, and now their stores are some of our busiest sites. It’s about persistence and proving the mutual benefit, which earlier programs underscored for us.
Illinois is also conducting a statewide recycling needs assessment due by December 1, 2026, which might lead to packaging laws. How does the paint program connect to this larger recycling effort, and can you describe a way it could influence future initiatives?
The paint stewardship program is a cornerstone of Illinois’ broader recycling push, acting as a proof of concept for extended producer responsibility. With the statewide recycling needs assessment underway, due by December 1, 2026, we’re gathering data that could shape packaging laws or other material-specific programs. The paint initiative shows how industry, government, and communities can collaborate to manage waste effectively, offering a blueprint for tackling complex materials like plastics or batteries. I can see it inspiring something like a packaging EPR law by demonstrating measurable impact—think of how managing 1 million gallons of paint could parallel handling millions of tons of cardboard or plastic. I’ve been in workshops where paint program logistics, like drop-off networks, are discussed as models for future systems. It’s exciting to imagine a ripple effect, where the trust and infrastructure we’re building now pave the way for a more circular economy statewide.
Retailers and local government facilities are vital to PaintCare’s network in Illinois as drop-off locations. How did you encourage their participation, and can you share a story of a specific partner who’s really stepped up in supporting this program?
Getting retailers and local government facilities on board was all about showing them the value of being part of this environmental solution. We held countless outreach sessions, highlighting how serving as drop-off sites boosts community goodwill and even drives foot traffic for retailers. PaintCare also provides clear guidelines, training, and support to ease any operational concerns. I’m particularly inspired by a family-owned hardware store in Peoria that’s gone above and beyond. The owner, passionate about sustainability, not only volunteered as a site but also started hosting weekend paint drop-off events, turning them into community gatherings with coffee and chats about recycling. I visited one of these events and felt the buzz—people were dropping off old cans and staying to learn more, thanks to the owner’s enthusiasm. Their store has collected thousands of gallons already, proving that personal commitment can amplify a program’s reach. It’s partnerships like this that make the network thrive.
PaintCare has managed 85 million gallons of paint nationally, which is staggering. Looking specifically at Illinois, what are the long-term aspirations for paint recycling, and can you share a moment or statistic that underscores the potential for growth in the state?
Nationally, PaintCare’s achievement of managing 85 million gallons sets a high bar, and in Illinois, our long-term vision is to not only sustain but expand this impact. We aim to exceed our first-year projection of 1 million gallons annually, increase drop-off site density beyond the 250 we’ve started with, and deepen public awareness so paint recycling becomes second nature. We also want to innovate in reuse applications, maybe partnering with more community projects for repainted spaces. A moment that sticks with me was during a site visit in suburban Chicago, where a drop-off location hit capacity within days of opening, showing us the pent-up demand—hundreds of gallons came in faster than we expected. It was a hectic but exhilarating reminder of how much potential there is if we keep pushing accessibility and education. I believe Illinois could become a leader in paint stewardship, setting an example for states eyeing similar programs.
What is your forecast for the future of paint recycling and producer responsibility in Illinois?
Looking ahead, I’m incredibly optimistic about paint recycling and producer responsibility in Illinois. I foresee the program maturing to handle even greater volumes as more residents and businesses engage, potentially surpassing that 1 million-gallon mark sooner than expected. The statewide recycling needs assessment due in 2026 could catalyze broader EPR laws, integrating paint recycling lessons into managing other materials like packaging or electronics. We might see Illinois become a hub for circular economy innovation, with PaintCare’s network inspiring similar systems elsewhere in the Midwest. There will be challenges, like funding sustainability and rural outreach, but the momentum we’ve built feels unstoppable. I think in five years, we’ll look back at this launch as the spark that transformed how Illinois handles waste across the board.
