Officials, Malloy Celebrate Paint Recycling Program

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.

At a press conference earlier this week 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 program, Middletown residents can bring their unused paint to recycling centers in town, like Ace Hardware off South Main Street and the Sherwin-Williams store in Cromwell, where it will be recycled.

Middetown's recycling office has joined with the Lower CT River Estuary Region Council of Governments in holding a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Oct. 5  at Middlesex Community College on 100 Training Hill Road. A flyer is available on the collection event.  

Items accepted at a HHW Collection include

• brake and transmission fluids, gasoline and diesel, kerosense, mercury thermostats, oil based paints, paint strippers and thinners, rechargeable batteries, turpentine, aerosol cans, ammonia, ant sprays, floor care products, oven and drain cleaners, wood and metal polishes, adhesives, epoxy products and glues, artists paints, charcoal lighter fluid, cleaning solvents, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and insecticides, mercury and mercury switches, moth balls, photographic chemicals, pool chemicals, and wood preservatives. 

To see a list of recycling locations, click here.