New State Program Allows Residents to Recycle Paint

Local officials, state representatives and Gov. Dannel Malloy this week celebrated the passage of a new statewide paint tax that officials hope will decrease the amount of unused paint that ends up in Long Island Sound.

The plan imposes a 75 cent tax on a gallon of new paint, or $1.60 for larger amounts. The money collected will pay for a new statewide paint-recycling program, according to The Branford Eagle. 

At a press conference Tuesday at a Sherwin-Williams store in Branford, Malloy said too many people are pouring their leftover paint down the drain and it's winding up in the Long Island Sound. 

Under the new recycling program, residents can bring their unused paint to recycling centers in their towns, such as Sherwin-Williams in Branford, where it will be recycled, according to The Eagle.

In Suffield, the closest listed locations are Sherwin-Williams at 85 Freshwater Blvd., Enfield and Family Hardware at 5 Bank St., Granby.

To see a list of recycling locations, click here. 

Malloy was joined at the press conference by Rep. Pat Widlitz, D- Guilford, Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, state Sen. Ed Meyer and Branford First Selectman Unk DaRos.