Results of NH Pilot Project: Exporting Post Consumer Paint For Recycling
September 15, 2005
Project
Management
The State of New Hampshire HHW Grant Program Coordinator provided
technical assistance to the Pemi-Baker Solid Waste District (PBSWD) who was
managing the project, by conducting workshops, developing guidance documents
and offering advice on various issues.
Objectives
The objective of the pilot was to determine the economic and administrative
feasibility of collecting post consumer paint and exporting it to Canada for
recycling. The costs and collection efficiency are compared to the previous
method of collecting it at one-day HHW events.
Project
Summary
Post consumer paint was collected at select locations in the PBSWD over the
2004 summer months. The paint was be packaged and exported to Laurentide
Paint Company in Quebec for recycling. The Paint Recycling Company, a
subsidiary of Laurentide, was the hauler for the post-consumer paint.
Results
The project was completed in the spring, summer and fall of 2004. Total paint
collected was 19,236 pounds (26 waste packs) with 16,753 pounds recycled (2094
gallons). Total cost was $7,712.25 (included transportation costs). The cost of
sending this amount for disposal or incineration would be almost double.
Resources
The PBSWD the North East Resource Recycling Association (NRRA), and the
State of New Hampshire HHW Grant Program shared the cost of the project.
Trained staff was provided by the PBSWD utilizing current resources such as
collection locations and storage areas. The PBSWD purchased the necessary
equipment needed, such as containers for shipping, and spill equipment.
Performance
Measures
The project was determined to be a success because of the cost savings per
gallon to send the paint for recycling vs. the cost per gallon to send if for
incineration. There was an approximate cost saving of 50 percent per gallon for
managing the leftover paint. The paint was sent for recycling, making the
project a success, since it was not sent for disposal or incineration.
Correlation to
the Dialogue
This project relates to the work of the paint dialogue in that it correlated with the
key issue of Transportation Costs. No workgroup was involved. The project was
be monitored by PSI.
Notes
The project also answered questions about collecting, storing and transporting
post consumer leftover paint for recycling (product) vs. waste paint for disposal
(hazardous waste). It resulted in New Hampshire DES drafting a paint collection
protocol for NH municipalities to reference.
PPSI Portland Oregon
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Ongoing Project Report
Lessons
Learned
o The percent of non-acceptable materials was too high. Careful monitoring
of the items placed in shipment packages would be needed.
o The cost of recycling latex paint has to be weighed against the cost of
drying it and sending it for landfill.
o Pricing per pound, instead of per volume, would result in more cost
savings since most of the volume shipped was air space.
o The recycling of post consumer paint in New Hampshire is difficult due to
the lack of paint recycling facilities/ markets in the area, resulting in the
need to transport to other states or countries. This involves the need to
comply with other states and countries rules and regulations to meet the
desired goal, making the process cumbersome.
o The project will not be expanded to other municipalities due to the limited
resources of the Paint Recycling Company. A permanent recycling
facility or infrastructure in the area will allow for these types of programs
to occur.
PPSI Portland Oregon
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Ongoing Project Report