ACA Sustainability Report 2022 - Report - Page 36
ACA Sustainability Report / 2022
Reducing Plastic Waste, Increasing Recycling,
and Addressing Microplastics
The paint and coatings industry cares
for the environment and is aware of
the important issues and concerns
around plastic pollution. Industry
supports and contributes to scientific
research about plastics pollution,
including microplastics. The industry
is taking steps to improve recycling
of its products through programs like
PaintCare; expand use of recycled
materials; and engage in conversations
surrounding microplastics.
Opportunities to improve the
recycling rate include:
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To increase emphasis on sustainability
and emerging issues relating to the
recyclability of paint cans and singleuse plastics, ACA in coordination with
PaintCare, commissioned a study
of management of post-consumer
architectural paint, auto-refinish, and
industrial maintenance containers/
cans in the United States. The study
also identified current barriers to and
potential opportunities for increasing
recycling of these containers.
Engaging with material recovery
facilities to improve recycling
infrastructure as it relates to
paint containers;
Improving container design;
Consumer education through
better labeling;
Utilizing new packaging
technologies; and
Expanding the PaintCare program
to all U.S. states.
ACA and PaintCare are working to
improve the recycling rate of paint
containers in the United by engaging with
industry and interested stakeholders and
redoubling its efforts to enact legislation
across the 40 remaining states to bring
its paint environmental stewardship
PaintCare program there.
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