The NPCA, the association of painting contractors and others have announced a plan to reduce the environmental impact and cost of managing leftover latex and oil-based paint.

WASHINGTON - As part of an agreement signed or endorsed by 45 state and local governments, the NPCA, a major retailer, the association of painting contractors and others have announced a plan to reduce the environmental impact and cost of managing leftover latex and oil-based paint. Participants in the yearlong dialogue agreed to implement 11 projects, at a cost of $1.2 million, to be implemented over 18 months that will provide information necessary for the development of a nationally coordinated leftover paint-management system. To date, nearly $800,000 has been committed to initiate the projects and continue the national dialogue for the next two years.

The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), a national nonprofit organization, initiated the dialogue on leftover paint in 2003 in response to concerns expressed by state and local government officials about paint's high volume in the waste stream; potential to impact human health and the environment; substantial costs to manage; and potential for increased reduction, recovery, reuse and recycling. PSI estimates the cost to manage leftover paint on a national level to be over $275 million per year.